Wille was ‘very kind’ and ‘very, very jolly’ say family

Thurnscoe Coronation Working Mens Club, Stuart Street, Thurnscoe has a police corden around the premises following a murder investigation. Picture: Andrew Roe

60-year-old Willy O’Hara died following an alleged row with a 53-year-old man at Thurnscoe Coronation Working Men’s Club in Dearne at around 5pm on Saturday, March 29.

He was taken to Barnsley District General Hospital where he died last Monday evening.A post mortem examination showed Mr O’Hara died as a result of a head injury. Further tests are being carried out.

Three people have been arrested in connection with the incident.

William OHara, 60, who died following an altercation in Thurnscoe.

A 53-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of burglary and perverting the course of justice. Officers also arrested a 33-year-old woman on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Both have been bailed while the investigation continues.

Speaking to The Coleraine Times this week, Margaret Tanner said her brother Willie had been born in Downhill and lived most of his life in Castlerock.

“He was very kind and very, very jolly. He was always up for a laugh.

“Willy liked walking and last came home to see the family last August. He worked on the railways for most of his life.

“He moved to England in 1989 and lived in Thurnscoe where he worked on the railway. He and his wife Christine got married in 2000. He had three stepchildren, Trevor, Jacqueline and Andrea”

Willy was the son of the late Mary and John O’Hara who had ten children. He is survived by sisters Phyllis, Kathleen, Margaret, Bridie, Monica and Jeanella. He also had a late sister, Rosemary and two brothers, John and Robert.

Margaret said that no funeral arrangements had yet to be confirmed.

East Londonderry MLA Adrian McQuillan said: “The thoughts and prayers of the whole borough are with the O’Hara family. Many members of the family still live here and this is a very sad time for them. A death in any family is a hard, but for it to happen in these circumstances makes it even more difficult.”

A South Yorkshire Police spokeswoman said: “Mr O’Hara, who was known to his friends as Willy, was socialising at the club when it is alleged he became involved in an altercation with a 53-year-old man.

“Early indications from the post mortem examination conducted [last Tuesday] suggest that Mr O’Hara died as a result of a head injury. However, further tests are being carried out.

Police officers cordoned off the Thurnscoe club while a forensic examination was carried out at the scene.

They also carried out door to door inquiries in the area looking for witnesses to the disturbance.

South Yorkshire Police have also appealed for witnesses.