Latest on teen who died after country music event as 40 new statements sought

Police are set to gather 40 further witness statements in the coming weeks over the 2022 death of 15-year-old Matthew McCallan after a country music event in Co Tyrone.

Police are set to take a further 40 statements over the next four to six weeks in relation to the death of a teenager in Co Tyrone almost four years ago.

Matthew McCallan was just 15-years-old when he died after attending a country music event in Fintona in December 2022. After a two-day search involving the local community, PSNI, and the Community Rescue Service, Matthew’s body was found in a ditch just two miles from the festival he had attended.

At a pre-inquest review hearing held on Friday, May 1, counsel for Coroner Joe McCrisken said progress has been made, with 135 pages of new material disclosed in relation to the case. As well as this, Mr Quinn added that CCTV exhibits were also available to the coroner and this would be assessed for its relevance to the inquest.

The coroner was told this new information would not extend the case beyond its current and set scope, as it was looking at the immediate response, and civilian witnesses. Mr Quinn said the new statements would be provided to the coroner’s office on a rolling basis within the next four to six weeks.

Additionally, he said an official within the Police Ombusman for Northern Ireland (PONI) office who had been dealing with the case had retired, with a new person now tasked to the case. A meeting was due to take place with their investigation team on new potential information.

The pre-inquest review also heard that discussions were taking place on whether expert evidence would be called during the inquest, and that it was also being reviewed whether a jury would hear the inquest.

Matthew’s parents had previously expressed concerns regarding the lack of progress with the inquest. Counsel for the next of kin, Michael McCartan, said it was clear “momentum is now building” in relation to the case.

A further pre-inquest review hearing has been scheduled to take place on June 26.

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