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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#TRIBUTE | The family of Fintan McDwyer pay tribute to him following his death.
They said: "Our hearts are broken but the love we learned from Fintan will give us the strength to try and move forwards in our life without him."
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 4, 2024
“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.”
Police issue statement following several stabbings in and around Manchester Arndale this month
Emily Sergeant
The police have issued an update following several stabbings, primarily involving teenagers, in and around Manchester Arndale this month.
It comes after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers responded to reports of a stabbing on Withy Grove at around 7pm on Tuesday evening (27 October), and once they attended the scene, the found a 13-year-old boy who’d sustained injuries consistent with knife wounds, and he was subsequently rushed hospital where he’s said to remain in a ‘stable condition’.
Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the incident, and GMP confirmed there will be an ‘increased police presence’ in the area as the investigation continues.
Section 60 and Section 60AA ‘stop and search’ warrants have been authorised following this most recent incident, and remain in place.
It has also been confirmed that four teenagers have been arrested in connection.
Three boys – aged 14, 15 and 16 – have been arrested on suspicion of affray and remain in custody for questioning, while another boy, aged 13, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article, GMP confirmed.
Providing an update following the several stabbings this month, Superintendent Simon Nasim, from GMP’s City of Manchester team, said: “Firstly my thoughts are with the young boy who was injured and I wish him a quick recovery.
“We are aware of the other incidents in the city centre of this nature, but at this stage they are not thought to be linked. Our communities should not be in fear of harm, and our priority is taking effective action with partners against those involved in anti-social behaviour and criminality.
“Knife crime is understandably a concern amongst our communities, and we have dedicated teams who will be deployed across the city centre to hotspot areas to strengthen our response to violent crime, and provide a reassuring message to our public.
“But we cannot tackle it alone. We rely on the cooperation of the public, to report anything that looks suspicious or any incidents to us, and we will be sure to act on it.
“Our investigation into [Tuesday’s] incident is ongoing, I urge anyone with information to please come forward.”
Can you help? Anyone with information, including witnesses or those with CCTV or mobile phone footage, are asked to contact police on 0161 856 1495, or via the LiveChat function on the GMP website, quoting log 3058 of 28/10/26.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
News
First 14 Greater Manchester train stations set to join Bee Network this year revealed
Emily Sergeant
The first 14 train stations in Greater Manchester that are set to join Bee Network before the end of the year have been revealed.
In case you need bringing up to speed, back in December of last year, Andy Burnham – who was then Greater Manchester Mayor, at the time – announced a step-by-step plan for bringing the region’s rail lines into the Bee Network, all with the aim of creating the first truly integrated public transport system outside London.
Eight commuter rail lines will be brought onto the Bee Network in phases through to 2028, with the final additions expected by 2030, so passengers can enjoy all the benefits of joined up buses, trams, trains and active travel.
And now it’s been revealed which stations are set to be the first to join.
The first two lines – which will connect Manchester to Glossop and Stalybridge – will become part of the Bee Network from December 2026, with contactless ‘tap in, tap out’ ticketing also rolled out across 14 stations at the same time.
Here’s everything you need to know.
The first 14 Greater Manchester train stations set to join the Bee Network this year have been revealed / Credit: TfGM
The 14 Greater Manchester stations joining the Bee Network in December 2026
Ardwick
Ashburys
Broadbottom
Dinting
Fairfield
Flowery Field
Glossop
Godley
Gorton
Guide Bridge
Hadfield
Hattersley
Manchester Piccadilly
Newton for Hyde
The 15 stations planned to join the Bee Network in March 2027
Ashton-under-Lyne
Belle Vue
Bredbury
Brinnington
Hyde Central
Hyde North
Manchester Victoria
Marple
Reddish North
Romiley
Rose Hill Marple
Ryder Brow
Stalybridge
Strines
Woodley
The 43 stations planned to join the Bee Network by December 2028
Appley Bridge
Atherton
Bolton
Burnage
Castleton
Cheadle Hulme
Clifton
Daisy Hill
Davenport
Deansgate
East Didsbury
Eccles
Farnworth
Gathurst
Gatley
Hag Fold
Hazel Grove
Heald Green
Heaton Chapel
Hindley
Ince
Kearsley
Levenshulme
Manchester Airport
Manchester Oxford Road
Mauldeth Road
Middlewood
Mills Hill
Moorside
Moses Gate
Moston
Patricroft
Rochdale
Salford Central
Salford Crescent
Stockport
Swinton
Walkden
Westhoughton
Wigan North Western
Wigan Wallgate
Woodsmoor
The remaining 25 stations planned to join the Bee Network by 2030
Altrincham
Blackrod
Bramhall
Bromley Cross
Bryn
Chassen Road
Denton
Flixton
Glazebrook
Greenfield
Hale
Hall-i’-th’-Wood
Horwich Parkway
Humphrey Park
Irlam
Littleborough
Lostock Parkway
Mossley
Navigation Road
Orrell
Pemberton
Reddish South
Smithy Bridge
Trafford Park
Urmston
This means that contactless ‘tap and go’ payments with capped fares will be brought in across bus, tram and train services from 2030.
All timings are subject to ongoing work between Greater Manchester leaders and the Department for Transport (DfT), Network Rail, Shadow Great British Railways, and Train Operating Companies.
Daisy Jackson -
5th July 2024 
