Barman Brutally Beaten To Death In US

A bar room attack has left a north Belfast man – who had been living in the USA – dead.

Seamus O'Neill - who came originally from Duncairn Parade - was identified last Friday by his wife, Bonnie, and brother in the basement of a bar in Philadelphia.

According to reports, his body had been found by a bar employee and it appears he was beaten to death.

The gruesome discovery was made two days after family members reported Mr O'Neill missing. It is understood he had plans to meet a friend at a cafe nearby.

Sixty-year-old Mr O'Neill, a bartender at My Blue Heaven, at Richmond and Pacific Streets in the Pennsylvania city, was found in the basement of McWhitey's bar at Venango and Mercer Streets after they found his car parked across the street.

"It was clear he had been beaten to death," Philadelphia police officer Lt Philip Riehl said.

The deceased was wrapped head to toe in tarpaulin and tied up with tape and a post mortem revealed he died from a blow to the head.

Relatives of Mr O'Neill travelled to Philadelphia yesterday and a message from his son, Seamus, in the family notices section of the Irish News on Monday said: "Dad, I wonder if you realise how much I'll miss you so, or how I try to understand why you had to go.

"Memories I have to cherish, pictures I can touch of a wonderful dad I love so dear and miss so very much."

Tributes have been paid to the 60-year-old barman, who has been described by many who knew him as quiet, hardworking and good-hearted.

Regina Ramuno (41), a neighbour of the O'Neills in Port Richmond, said the couple had lived on their street for about six years.

She said the O'Neills had often invited her to sit on the porch and talk.

"He was a hell of a neighbour, who would do anything for you," she is quoted as saying in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

(BMcC)