Posted online: Aug 9th, 2010

A small County Derry community is coming to terms with the murder of a man at a house in Castledawson.
Michael McLaughlin was stabbed after an altercation at a flat at Hillhead Road around 10.30 on Sunday night.
The 24-year-old, who is originally from Toome, had only lived in the flat for a short time.
The County Derry Post understands an altercation between Mr McLaughlin and another man took place after he and a number of friends returned to the flat after an evening out.
A man in his early 20’s was arrested near the murder scene a short time after by police.
The suspect, who was being questioned by police last night, is also believed to come from the Toome area.
Several people who were in the flat battled frantically to save the Mr McLaughlin but he died at the scene.
Members of Mr McLaughlin’s family, including his father Kevin, attended the murder scene yesterday and placed flowers close to the spot where he died.
A former neighbour of the dead man in Toome, Michael Craig, said the murder victim, was popular with young people in the area.
He said: “He had a great personality and was popular with all the young people. He was a nice young fellow and had a reputation for being a great worker.”
Chairman of Magherafelt District Policing Partnership, Sean McPeake, offered his sympathy to the dead man’s family.
The Sinn Féin man said: “It’s a big shock for the people who live in the area to have this sort of thing happen ion their door steps. Thankfully it’s not a common form of crime in the Magherafelt area. I extend my sympathy to the family.”
SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone says the incident has shaken local people.
He said: “This is a quiet small rural town and people in Castledawson are extremely shocked that this murder has taken place in their midst.”
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “This is a live and ongoing investigation.”