The family of Kyle McDermott are “devastated beyond words”, a relative has said as tributes are paid to the 24-year-old who died following an altercation in Co Tyrone.
On Tuesday evening a 24-year-old man was charged with his manslaughter.
He is due to appear before Dungannon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Mr McDermott died in hospital after an incident close to his home at Victoria Road in Ballymagorry, outside Strabane, on Sunday evening.
His cousin, Derry and Strabane independent councillor Jason Barr, was among those to pay tribute online, describing his relative as “forever 24″.
“A smile that will never be seen again,” he wrote in a social media post about Mr McDermott, who was originally from the Burt area of Inishowen, Co Donegal.
“Please keep Kyle’s partner Chloe, his Mum Claire, Dad Stephen, Sister Stephanie and Brothers Arden and Sheehan and our family in your prayers. Devastated beyond words.”
No funeral arrangements have yet been announced, but Mr Barr said a wake to be held in Mr McDermott’s family home in Burt will be strictly private.
In a post on Facebook, Strabane-based company McGettigan Homes paid tribute to their former colleague.
“Kyle with his father Stephen and brother Arden worked with our company for a number of years,” a spokesperson said.
“Kyle was a very talented digger driver and enjoyed creating numerous videos from his cabin showing his extended skills.
“He was a great asset to our company and his tragic passing has sorely affected us all.”
Liverpool Irish pub Molly Malones described Mr McDermott as a “very close friend and loyal customer” in a post.
“To say he left a huge hole in all of our hearts is an understatement. Molly’s is heartbroken,” a spokesperson wrote.
On Tuesday detectives appealed for information on a car seen in the Ballymagorry area on Sunday night.
Detective Inspector Hazel Miller said: “I am making a specific and direct appeal to the occupants of a blue-coloured car. This car was parked on the Victoria Road, near the scene of the altercation, and we believe that an occupant captured mobile footage of the incident.
“I am appealing, in the first instance, to the driver and passengers of that car to please contact us on 101 as soon as possible, as your support could greatly assist our enquiries.”
She added: “I will also take the opportunity to extend a reminder to anyone who as in the Victoria Road area on Sunday night between 6pm and midnight to come forward with any information or footage you may have. Please quote reference 1670 of 06/10/24.”
