Murder vgictim Owen Creaney foiund dead inside a wheelie bin

DETECTIVES have been granted a further 24 hours to question two people about the murder of a man whose body was found hidden in a bin.

The body of Owen Creaney, from Victoria Place in Lurgan, was found in Moyraverty Court in Craigavon on Saturday evening.

Police said the 40-year-old, who was disabled and used a walking aid, had been the victim of a brutal and sustained assault.

A 23-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man have been arrested.

On Monday morning, police applied to a judge for an extension to their detention at the serious crime suite in Antrim police station for further questioning.

It was also to allow police time to wait on the outcome of forensic results from seized clothing.

The court granted the extension which runs out on Tuesday morning.

Detectives can apply for a further extension. They can also release the suspects or profer charges against them over the murder.

Police said they believed Mr Creaney had been assaulted and had appeared to survive, but died some time later.

His body was found in a wheelie bin in the porch at the back of the house in which a 27-year-old man lived.

Leading the murder probe, Det Ch Insp Richard Campbell of the PSNI’s Major Inquiry Team, said: “I would hope that the community would be rightly disgusted by the attempt to conceal Owen’s body after this brutal murder.

“Owen was 40. In fact, he celebrated his 40th birthday last Saturday, 28 June.

“He was a frail and vulnerable man. Although he was only 40, he had significant mobility issues which meant he required the aid of a walking frame or stick to get about.

“I think it is important for the community to reject this violent assault on Owen and contact police with any information which they have.”

The cause of Mr Creaney’s death will not be released until a post-mortem examination has been carried out, the PSNI said.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious around Moyraverty Court between Wednesday and Saturday afternoon to contact them on the non-emergency 101 number or through Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.