Victim dies weeks after assault

Police have launched a murder inquiry after the death of a man assaulted in County Down last month.

Francis Doherty, 62, suffered serious head injuries when he was attacked in his home on the Commons Road, Ballykinler, on Sunday 16 March.

He had been on a life support machine since and died in the early hours of Saturday.

Two men who were arrested in connection with the attack were released pending further inquiries.

Mr Doherty's nephew, Sean Dennis, said he felt his uncle's death was inevitable due to his injuries but "it doesn't get any easier when that time comes".

"We have just got to lean on each other now and get through the next few days," Mr Dennis said.

"It's a hard time when anybody dies, but under the circumstances, that makes it that bit harder to comprehend."