Detectives name Portrush murder victim as 46-year-old Paul Rowlands from Cambridge

THE MAN who died after being assaulted near the seafront at Portrush, Co Antrim at the weekend has been named as 46-year-old Paul Rowlands from Cambridge, England.

Mr Rowlands was a father-of-five and a grandfather-of-one, and had been on an extended stay in Portrush from the beginning of June. He was planning to return to England at the end of July.

His body was found on the ground at Bath Terrace by a member of the public at about 02:20 BST on Monday.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said:

“Shortly after 2.20am on Monday, 18 July, police received a report that an injured male had been discovered in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush.

“He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later. A 39-year-old man arrested in the Portrush area on Monday evening remains in custody at this time."

The investigation is currently working off of the fact that Paul had been involved in some form of altercation with another male in the area at around midnight.

"I need anyone who witnessed any incident, no matter how minor this may have appeared, or anyone who was in the Bath Terrace area of Portrush town centre, on Sunday afternoon or late Sunday night 17 July, particularly if they witnessed any fights or verbal disagreements in that area, to contact the investigation team," Detective McGuineess continued.

Investigators believe there were a number of potential witnesses who were in the area for the weekend who may have since returned home.

"Paul had been living in a tent on the seafront and I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen Paul in the past number of days and weeks while he was staying in Portrush," McGuinness said.

An ambulance was called after the discovery of Mr Rowlands' body, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is treating his death as murder.

Anyone who may have dash-cam footage, or who has premises in that area with CCTV, is being asked to contact the PSNI quoting reference number 171 of 18/07/22.

A report can also be submitted online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.  Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/