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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Lauren Harte

Coleraine community in shock as best friends are found dead in flat

An investigation is under way after two men were found dead in a flat.

The "sudden deaths" happened at the property in Coleraine, Co Derry.

The men have been named locally as best friends Russell McAfee, 60, and Nigel McGraw, 53.

It is understood that Mr McGraw's father discovered the pair in a downstairs flat within the Elms Park estate of Ballysally on Monday, reports Belfast Live.

The PSNI said: "Following the report of the sudden deaths of two men at a property in the Elms Park area of Coleraine on Monday afternoon (29th November), police attended the scene, along with other emergency services, and are satisfied that there is no immediate risk to the public.

"The deaths are not being treated as suspicious at this time."

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said crews were called at around 2.37pm on Monday.

The causes of the deaths of the two men have yet to be confirmed by the coroner.

Despite immediate concerns of a carbon monoxide leak, that is no longer thought to be a line of enquiry.

It is understood the men, both Rangers FC fans, had been planning to travel together to a match in the near future.

PUP councillor for the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Russell Watton, said he was “disgusted” at what he called “hurtful” online speculation following the deaths of the men.

Mr Watton wrote on social media: "As someone who was in Ballysally most of the afternoon and into this evening, I am disgusted at the speculation now rife on social media.

"The sad fact is that nobody knows what happened these two men. The rumours flying around are a disgrace and hurtful to close relatives.

"I would ask everyone to show some compassion to the families and let the authorities do their work."

He added: "The Coroner will decide the cause of death not the keyboard warriors. Always remember these two fellows are somebody's loved ones."

UUP councillor, Darryl Wilson, said he was "saddened" to hear the news.

"My thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and friends of the men and the entire Ballysally community," he added.

Independent MLA, Claire Sugden, also passed on her “deepest condolences” to the family and friends of the deceased.

SDLP East Derry MLA, Cara Hunter, added: “The local community will be stunned following this incident and my thoughts also go out to them after this distressing ordeal.

“I would ask that people give the police space to carry out their investigation into these sudden deaths so they can establish exactly what took place here. I would also encourage anyone with information about what took place to come forward to police as soon as possible.”

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