Yahoo News Fallowfield murder investigation: Man at centre of police probe named as neighbours say 'he didn't deserve this'
This is the man at the centre of a murder investigation in Fallowfield. Greater Manchester Police launched the probe after a man was found dead at a property on Platt Lane yesterday morning (July 1).
The victim at the centre of the investigation has now been named as Fintan McDwyer. The 64-year-old 'suffered serious and fatal injuries to his face and neck', police said.
Detectives believe these were 'caused by a sharp instrument' as a 'violent assault took place in the property'. A spokesperson for Manchester Coroners' Court confirmed Mr McDwyer's death had been referred to the coroner.
Follow LIVE updates on this incident HERE
Neighbours described Mr McDwyer as a 'really nice man' who was 'friendly and happy'. They said they would often see him out walking his dog in the area.
The M.E.N. understands that Mr McDwyer was sometimes referred to as 'Vinny'. One person, who laid flowers outside a house on Platt Lane which has been cordoned off by police, said: "I've known him over 20 years.
"My kids grew up with his kids. He didn't deserve anything like this. I can't believe it. I'm just thinking of his family. He didn't deserve this. He was such a lovely man and kept himself to himself.
"He was a lovely neighbour. He was decent. He would take his dog for a walk every morning. But my neighbour was actually saying the other day she hadn't seen him for a while. We all look out for each other around here so this has hit us hard."
Mohammad Butt, 44, said: "It was obviously shocking news. He was a very good neighbour - a nice gentleman, never had any issues. Very neighbourly. He was normally just walking his dog, going shopping at Aldi... normal, everyday things.
"We have no idea what's happened. It's just really sad news." Bismarck Colaco, 51, told the M.E.N: "He had a dog and he would often be walking it. I have seen him many times in the park. He also loved doing gardening and was often out at the front doing that.
"I used to always say he was a fantastic neighbour. Everyone needs good neighbours - and he was a definitely a good one."
Another neighbour said: "I was just saying the asking the other day had someone new moved in because I hadn't seen him for a while.
"I can't believe it. He kept himself to himself but was a really nice man. [He was] friendly, happy. He had lived here a long time. I just can't believe this has happened on our doorstep... to come home from work and there be police everywhere and have them knocking on your door.
"I assumed it was a crash at first, I think everyone did. It's shocking and scary. You don't feel safe anymore. We need answers about what's happened."
Police descended on Platt Lane yesterday morning. A cordon was put in place across the street and forensic officers carried out investigations.
Today, it was confirmed that a murder probe had been launched on GMP's public portal. "At 08:50 hours on Monday 1 July 2024, police and ambulance services responded to a call to Platt Lane, Manchester", a post on the portal said.
"A deceased male at this location was found to have several sharp force injuries. As a result a murder investigation has been commenced and Greater Manchester Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
"This includes any witness with knowledge of the offence, details of those involved, CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage in relation to the investigation."
Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand of GMP's Major Incident Team, said officers now want to speak to anyone with information, or anyone who 'noticed anything suspicious' on Platt Lane from around 7pm on Saturday up until Monday morning. She said the investigation was 'in its very early stages'.
"Although the investigation is still in its very early stages, we are beginning to build a timeline of events leading up to this man’s death and will continue to work tirelessly to find out what has happened to him and my thoughts and the thoughts of the investigation team are with his family at this difficult time", Det Chf Insp Brennand said in a statement.
"A number of lines of enquiry are being looked into, but we ask that anyone with information comes forward to speak to us – regardless of how small you think it seems, to us, this may be the missing piece of information we need to progress this investigation. We know that someone, somewhere will know what has happened to him.
"We are specifically appealing 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. 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 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."
