Agonising wait for family as Donegal man's body not yet home after alleged assault on night out

Kyle McDermott (24), from Burt in Donegal, died in the early hours of Monday morning following an alleged assault. The North’s PSNI said he died 'following an altercation' at Ballymagorry near Strabane, Co Tyrone.

The family of a young Donegal man killed during a night out in the North hope to have his body back today to prepare for his funeral. Kyle McDermott (24), from Burt in Donegal, died in the early hours of Monday morning following an alleged assault.

Yesterday, a man appeared in court charged with Kyle’s manslaughter. Daniel Hanna, 24, from Victoria Road in Strabane, appeared at Dungannon Magistrates’ Court.

Meanwhile, Kyle’s body remained yesterday with a coroner in Belfast, according to his family. A loved one told the Irish Mirror: “We thought Kyle’s body would’ve been released [yesterday], so it might be [today] that he gets home. If it is [today], Kyle will be waked privately at home for two nights before his funeral on Saturday, at the earliest, in St Agnes’s Church in Burt.”

The North’s PSNI said Kyle died “following an altercation” at Ballymagorry near Strabane, Co Tyrone. Police were called at 11.30pm on Sunday and the Ambulance Service was called at 12.05am on Monday and Kyle was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry where he died in the early hours of the morning.

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The Irish Mirror yesterday revealed that Kyle’s family has suffered terrible tragedy in recent years. Kyle’s cousin was mother-of-two murder victim Ciara O’Brien (26), whose crazed husband Adrian Dunne killed her, their daughters Lean and Shania, and himself at their home in Mongeer, Wexford, in April 2007.

Kyle’s girlfriend Chloe McGonagle, from Inishowen in Donegal, witnessed his death this week – which tragically occurred several years after her dad was killed in a car crash.

Kyle’s aunt Marian, who is his late cousin Ciara’s mother, revealed in 2011 that she and her husband PJ, a former manager of Donegal hurling team, learned of the murder-suicide on TV.

Friends last night paid tribute to Kyle, with friend Kellie Hughes writing online: “My heart is so broken. Kyle Mcdermott, my wee brother from another mother. A beautiful kid with a beautiful soul taken away from us too soon. From being by my side any night you were in Molly’s Pub, to taking an adventure up to the vines with me, the memories were endless.

“Memories I will cherish forever. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family and your girlfriend at this very hard time, sending them big hugs and all my love.”

Kyle worked in the construction industry as a digger driver and regularly shared clips of his work on TikTok. A post from McGettigan Homes said: “All at McGettigan Homes would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the McDermott family on the loss of their son Kyle. Kyle with his father Stephen and brother Arden worked with our company for a number of years.

“Kyle was a very talented digger driver and enjoyed creating numerous videos from his cabin showing his extended skills. He was a great asset to our company and his tragic passing has sorely affected us all. We are thinking of Kyle’s partner Chloe, his dad Stephen, mum Claire, his brothers, sister, extended family and friends at this very difficult time. Rest in peace Kyle.”

Kyle’s local Burt GAA Club stated: “Utterly devastating news came through the local area as young Kyle McDermott’s young life was ended far too soon. We ask that our club members and local community support each other and the McDermott family during the very difficult days ahead.”

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