Ex-team boss dies after Down assault; man arrested
A man killed following what has been described as a vicious attack was the former manager of his local football team.
The victim, David Mills from Dundrum, was assaulted in Ballynahinch, Co Down in the early hours of this morning.
He was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries where he was in critical condition until he passed away at 10am.
Local SDLP councillor Patsy Toman, who knows the Mills family well, said the local community has been left reeling from his death.
The PSNI have launched a murder investigation and arrested a 30-year-old man this morning.
It is understood that Mr Mills, a former player and manager of Drumaness Mills Football Club, was socialising with friends following a local cricket club win yesterday afternoon.
Mr Toman said they had gone to Ballynahinch for some takeaway food, where the attack occurred in Dromore Street at around 12.45am.
“I believe Mr Mills was in the takeaway shop and he came out and there was some sort of altercation with some guy on the street,” he said. “It’s just terrible news. Everyone has been left devastated by it.”
The Mills family is well known, particularly in the Drumaness area, Mr Toman said.
“They’re a great sporting family. I know his father had been involved with the football club too.”
A spokesman for the club expressed its sympathies to the victim’s family on the team’s official Twitter account.
“Thoughts and prayers go to the Mills family from all at Drumaness after the death of former player and manager Davy Mills, aged 47. RIP,” it read.
Meanwhile, other politicians condemned the murder.
Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard said the local community has been left in shock.
“The man who was murdered is well known in the local area and was heavily involved in the local community, especially in soccer circles,” said Mr Hazzard. “There is huge shock to the local community at this senseless act.”
It is hard to understand the motives behind such a “vicious attack”, he said.
SDLP MP for South Down Margaret Ritchie said the attack is not in keeping with the usual peaceful nature of Ballynahinch.
It raises the issue of whether there is enough community policing in the area, she said.
UUP South Down MLA John McCallister urged anyone who witnessed the attack to contact the police.
