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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Connor Lynch

Matthew McCallan: Police no longer treating death as 'unexplained'

Police are no longer treating the death of Matthew McCallan as unexplained, they confirmed this evening.

However, in a statement the PSNI said the are continuing to investigate the Co Tyrone teenager's death.

Matthew, 15, was found dead in the Tattyreagh Road area of Fintona shortly before midday on Monday, December 5, after being reported missing when he did not return home from an event on Saturday.

Police have said that following a post-mortem examination they are no longer treating Matthew's death as unexplained. They also said they are not treating the death as suspicious but are continuing to try to establish the circumstances leading up to it.

Read more: Matthew McCallan: Funeral hears of ‘very happy young boy’ as teen laid to rest

They are asking if anyone from the Loughmuck Road, Edergole Road, Tullycunny Road, Blackfort Road and Tattyreagh Road areas of Fintona has any CCTV that can be made available to officers to assist them in their investigation.

Matthew was last seen at 1.20am near the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and police are looking to establish his movements after this time.

Detective Inspector Michael Winters said: “Following the results of the post mortem we are no longer treating Matthew’s death as unexplained, and while we are also not treating it as suspicious, we are still trying to determine the circumstances leading up to his death.

“Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family at this time and we are trying to provide these answers for them. A number of specially trained officers are continuing to provide support to them at this tragic time.

Funeral of Matthew McCallan at St Malachy's Church, Edendork, Co. Tyrone (Jonathan Porter/PressEye)

“I am keen to hear from anyone who has CCTV in a number of areas within Fintona, including Loughmuck Road, Edergole Road, Tullycunny Road, Blackfort Road and Tattyreagh Road. I would appeal to anyone who has CCTV in these areas and hasn’t yet spoken to police to come forward. I am also appealing for anyone who was driving on these roads between 1am and 5am on Sunday 4th December, and who were using dashcam, to speak to police.

“Matthew was last seen at approximately 1.20am near the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and we are keen to establish his movements after this time.

“Police received a report of a missing person shortly after 3.30am on Sunday 4th December when Matthew did not arrive home after attending an event in Fintona on Saturday night. Sadly Matthew was discovered by a member of the public in a ditch in the laneway of a property approximately two miles away from the social event at around 11.45am on Monday 5th December.

“I would appeal to anyone who saw Matthew or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting 319 of 04/12/22.”

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