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Family pay tribute to ‘gentle giant’ killed in violent assault in Fallowfield

'There isn’t anyone who would say a bad word about Fintan'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th July 2024

The man at the centre of a murder probe in Fallowfield has been named as Fintan McDwyer, as his family issued an emotional tribute.

Fintan was pronounced dead at the scene at a property on Platt Lane on Monday 1 July.

It’s understood that he was the victim of a violent assault where he suffered serious and fatal injuries, believed to be caused by a sharp instrument.

A murder investigation has been launched by GMP.

His family have now paid a heartbreaking tribute to a ‘gentle giant’, saying that he was a ‘true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humour’.

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They explained that Fintan had lost his ‘beloved wife’ 20 years ago, who would have been ‘so proud for the way he brought up his family’.

Their tribute said: “There isn’t anyone who would say a bad word about Fintan, and it breaks our hearts that he has been denied years to be with his sons and grandchildren.”

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Officers are still appealing for information into the murder of Fintan McDwyer.

His family’s full tribute says: “Monday 1 July was the day that we lost our dad, grandad, brother and uncle and our lives have since been turned upside down. 

 “Our whole family is grieving the loss of Fintan. Our hearts are broken and will remain forever so, but the love we learned from Fintan will give us the strength to try and move forwards in our life without him. 

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“Fintan was our own gentle giant, with a calm and reassuring presence. He had the most wonderful, soft, Irish lilt.

“He was a true gentleman, had a wonderful sense of humour, and always had a twinkle in his eye. 

“Fintan lost his beloved wife, Tracy, 20 years ago and she would be so proud of Fintan for the way he brought up his family. Just a few weeks ago he spent time with us in Blackpool in the caravan.

“He was a quiet man, who was very shy with such a dry sense of humour that we all loved so much. He loved his TV quizzes and was a big sports fan. Fintan loved his dog, Sammy, and was often seen with her walking her around the local area and parks. 

“There isn’t anyone who would say a bad word about Fintan, and it breaks our hearts that he has been denied years to be with his sons and grandchildren.

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“He will never be forgotten, and he will continue to hold a very special place in our hearts. We always know he will be watching over us.

“Rest easy Fintan xxx

“We would like to thank family, friends, neighbours and the local community for the kind words we have received, and now request privacy as we grieve as a family.”

Detective Inspector Lee Shaw from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “There will be people who know what happened to Fintan, and we appeal to them to come forwards as soon as possible. In cases like this even the smallest piece of information can prove vital to the progression of our investigation.

“We continue to appeal to anyone who noticed anything suspicious on Platt Lane or in the surrounding areas from 7pm on Saturday 29 June up until the morning of Monday 1 July 2024 to get in touch with us.

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“If you have any information or footage that could assist our investigation into this incident, please contact GMP on 0161 856 5415 quoting log 695 of 1/7/24.

“A dedicated portal has been set up and information, CCTV, dashcam, doorbell and phone images and footage can be submitted through the Major Incident Public Portal here: Public Portal (mipp.police.uk)

“You can also report information via www.gmp.police.uk or through the independent charity Crimestoppers – anonymously – on 0800 555 111.”

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Featured image: GMP

News

What people are wearing at Parklife 2026 – ruffles, cowboy boots, football shirts and bandanas

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Parklife weekend is here, which means festival fashion is back, and Manchester has absolutely delivered on its outfit trends once again.

Every year in the fields of Heaton Park, thousands of ravers flock to Parklife festival for the biggest party of the year.

And of course, you can’t attend a festival without wearing a fire fit and boy oh boy have we seen some.

Gone are the days when you’d throw on a t shirt and jeans to a festival, and although you may see a few tracksuits and flimsy rain ponchos (we are in Manchester after all), the people of Parklife are dressing to impress this year.

Images: The Manc Group

The main theme of the weekend is…ruffles.

We’re talking ruffled shorts, ruffled boots, ruffled skirts – if you can ruffle it, the Parklife people are buying it. We’d say the vast majority of girls are wearing ruffled hot pants, and we are absolutely here for it.

Another trend is not practical in the slightest but of course looks absolutely fab, and that is cowboy boots.

Images: The Manc Group

We dread to think of the blisters that are going to crop up after the weekend, but as the old saying goes…beauty is well and truly pain.

You may mistake yourself for being at Coachella due to the amount of girls absolutely rocking a bandana this year, a trend which is both stylish and practical with the sun blaring down on Heaton Park this weekend.

And last but not least, maybe it’s the World Cup fever but we’ve spotted both boys and girls sporting football shirts and looking class whilst doing so.

Images: The Manc Group

All in all, Parklife weekend is flooded with fashionistas this year but are we surprised when Manchester is a hive for the coolest cats in the game? We think not.

There’s also a couple of pop-ups onsite this year for if you’re looking to level up your fit, including Suzy Loves Milo selling vintage garms and The Mothership providing all the perfect accessories.

Read more: Parklife 2026 – stage times, line-up, tickets, travel, and everything else you need to know

Featured image – The Manc Group

News

Take That at the Etihad Stadium – the Manchester boys are ‘back for good’ | Review

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

We’re not saying this was the ‘Greatest Day’ of our lives…but it was certainly up there.

Take That have been taking us all on a trip down memory lane over the past few weeks, bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK and recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour.

Last night they kicked off their four night run at the Etihad Stadium, and it’s safe to say the much-loved pop trio have absolutely still got it.

In fact, I’d go as far to say that this is the best Gary, Mark and Howard have ever looked, sang, and above all else, danced.

Maybe it’s because this is their first hometown gig in two years, or maybe it’s because I’m extremely biased having grown up listening to Take That in my mum’s car on the way to school.

Either way, I said what I said.

Now as the name suggests, The Circus Live isn’t your average show. There’s a gigantic hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, you name it – they’ve got it.

It’s an aggressive assault to the senses, a fantastic fever dream, overstimulation of the highest degree, and I lapped up every single moment. 

It’s what I imagine taking a tab of acid feels like before a gig, and if that’s the case then I would recommend doing so.

Of course the boys open the show with ‘Greatest Day’, and from the get go Gary Barlow’s vocals are just as smooth as ever.

After a brief Barry Manilow cover they then showcase their exceptional synchronised choreography during the dance break of ‘Pray’, to which I could almost hear the audible gasps from hundreds of mums in the audience.

All of which, I assume, were transported in that moment back to 1993 when Take That debuted the moves on Top of the Pops.

After a brief pause, Mark Owen leads the lads in ‘Shine’ as they make their way to the second stage in the centre of the stadium. Top hat in hand, Gary on the keys, Howard there purely for vibes – it’s no wonder Morrison’s chose this banger for their advert.

From then on it is simply banger after banger, and it’s clear that they feel very grateful to still be filling out stadiums as Howard particularly gets teary eyed after ‘Never Forget’ is met with roars of applause.

Take That have three more shows left at the Etihad Stadium, and you can still grab some last minute tickets here.

However, if you fancy not moving from your sofa but still want to be a part of the fun – Saturday’s show will be livestreamed across the globe via Amazon Music, so no matter where you are in the world, you can still visit The Circus. Find out more here.

Read more: Take That to livestream sold-out Manchester stadium show this weekend

Featured image – The Manc Group
































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