‘Relentless’ pursuit to find killers

‘Relentless’ pursuit to find killers

27 August 2025

A SENIOR PNSI officer has said police will be “relentless” in finding the killers of a Newcastle pensioner at the weekend.

Eighty-four year-old Sean Small was found dead outside a house in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of the town on Sunday night.

He had been recently released from prison after serving three years for sexual offences.

The murder is being investigated by detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team.

A police cordon remains around the house and at a neighbouring house where forensic officers are conducting examinations.

There is no suggestion that anyone in the neighbouring house is linked to the ongoing police investigation.

Chief Inspector Adam Ruston, of Newry Mourne and Down PSNI, said: “I know that the local community will be in shock following the news of this older man’s death.

“Waking up to this news is sure to have caused distress that this has happened in such a close-knit residential area of Newcastle.

“However, I want to provide reassurance that we are working at pace to investigate the circumstances of this murder and we will be relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators and in securing justice.”

He added: “Locals and visitors to Newcastle over this bank holiday and later in the week will notice more of our officers on the ground and on patrol as we work on this investigation and to provide the community with the reassurance and support of police presence.”

Residents in the area have expressed their shock over what has happened.

One said: “This is the quietest street ever, I have lived here all my life and you would hardly see a sinner here.

”You see this happening in other areas, but you don’t expect it to land on your own doorstep.”

Another said: “It’s absolutely awful. This is the quietest street you would ever be on. You would hardly ever see people walking up and down.

“There’s a couple of young families and mostly elderly residents would live on this street.”

Another resident said the death has come as a shock to what is usually a tranquil area of the town.

Meanwhile, police have issued an appeal for information about the killing.

Detective Chief Inspector Kerrie Foreman, of the Major Investigation Team, has urged members of the public to come forward.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, she said: “First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family of the victim.

“We received a report at around 10.30pm, on Sunday, 24th August, that a man in his 80s had been found outside a property in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle.

“Sadly, the man was pronounced dead and has been named as 84 year-old Sean Small from the town.”

The officer continued: “This was a brutal and sustained attack and while our investigation is at a very early stage, detectives are working at pace to determine the circumstances around this murder. In order to do this, we need the public’s help.

“We believe that Sean was last seen alive on the afternoon of Tuesday, 19th August.

“We need to speak to anyone who was in the Slievenabrock Avenue area of Newcastle on 19th of August or following days, or who may have witnessed anyone or anything they thought was suspicious or out of the ordinary.

“Has anyone you are close to acted strangely over the last few days or broken from their usual routine?

“I am asking anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant a detail may seem, to please contact us by calling 101.

“If you have photos or footage including CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage, of this area or the wider Tullybrannigan and Bryansford Road areas, please share these with police through the Major Incident Public Portal at mipp.police.uk/operation/PSNI25U19-PO1  

“The charity, Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given directly to them that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Sean Small.

“With Crimestoppers, calls are never recorded, there’s no caller line display or 1471 facility, and computer IP addresses can never be traced.

“You can also submit information online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/”

 Detective Chief Inspector Foreman added: “I know that the local community will be in shock following the news of this terrible crime.

“However I want to provide reassurance that detectives are working as quickly as possible to understand how and why this murder has taken place.

“Your information could be crucial in helping officers understand exactly what has happened and to ensure we can secure justice for the victim’s family.”