A homicide investigation has been opened into the disappearance of a man who was last seen in December.
Officers investigating the disappearance of Damien Heagney, from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, have arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of murder following a search of a property in the Cookstown area.
Heagney, 47, was last seen in the nearby Dromore area at the end of December last year.
I now believe that Damien has been sadly murdered, Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson
Detectives received a report that he was missing on July 19.
Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Wilson said: “Although I am keeping an open mind, I now believe that Damien has sadly been murdered.
“Damien is 47 years old, around 5ft 10in tall, of stocky build and has links to the Tyrone area.
“Although Damien was reported missing to police on July 19 this year, we have established that he was last seen on December 30 in the early hours of the 31st in the Dromore area, outside Cookstown .
“Today, Saturday 6 August, we arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of murder following the search of a property in the Cookstown area.”
The man is currently assisting police with ongoing investigations.