Family's devastation as West Belfast man dies days after being 'stabbed in the head'
The family of a West Belfast father who died three days after being stabbed in the head outside his own home have spoken of their devastation as they call for an urgent police investigation into his death.
Tiernan Rooney passed away at his home on New Year's Day, 2025, just three days after he was attacked and stabbed outside his Conway Place home in West Belfast at around 12.45pm on December 29.
His heartbroken family are now calling for answers following his death and have questioned why police have not issued an appeal regarding the attack just days prior to his death.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Tiernan's cousin Lynsey Rooney, who has described him as "being like a son to her", said that his entire family are devastated at losing the father of one.
Lynsey said: "Two men came to Tiernan's home in broad daylight and attacked and stabbed him five or six times in the head when he came to the front door.
"He was then taken to hospital where he was given stables and stitches, but he didn't stay at the hospital and came home to his family. After leaving the hospital he had been complaining of headaches due to his injuries and it has destroyed us all that three days later he went to sleep and never woke up.
"Since then, the people who carried out this disgusting attack on Tiernan have been walking the streets and continue to try and intimidate us, driving up and down the street beeping a car horn while we were holding a wake for Tiernan.
"Considering everything that happened to Tiernan in the days before his death we cannot understand why the police have not carried out more of an investigation even though they have been provided with video footage of the attack taking place from a doorbell camera. There has been no appeal alerting people to the attack on him, which may have resulted in his death.
"Sadly now our family is stuck in the terrible position of having to wait months before we truly know the cause of his death and we just want to see the police take action against the vermin who attacked him."
Police have said they are investigating the attack on Tiernan
A PSNI spokesperson said: "Police are investigating an assault in the Conway Place area of west Belfast on Sunday afternoon, 29th December 2024.
"It was reported a man, aged in his 30s, was assaulted by two other men on the doorstep of a property.
"He was allegedly punched several times and also stabbed in the head by a blade or pointed object. The two suspects fled the scene on foot – and the victim required hospital treatment for his injuries.
"Enquiries are ongoing to determine who was involved and a motive behind the attack.
"We would appeal to anyone with any information, CCTV or dash-cam footage, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 627 29/12/24.
"Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/
"You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/."
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