Popular ex-security guard John Sweeney whose body was found in the garden of his Galliagh home this week
THE PSNI has launched an investigation after a man’s body was found in a garden in Derry.
The body of John Sweeney was discovered outside his Dundrean Park home by relatives in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
It is believed the 46-year-old went out to his garden for a cigarette and didn’t return for a time.
Relatives found him dead in the garden of his Galliagh home shortly after 1 am.
A PSNI spokesperson said that they are examining the circumstances surrounding the death, which is being treated as unexplained.
A post mortem examination is due to be carried out in the coming days to determine how Mr Sweeney died.
Mr Sweeney, a former security guard with Estate Services, lived at the house with his wife and children.
Friends took to Facebook to pay tribute to the much-loved and popular “gentleman” they knew as “Jap”.
One said he was “a big, friendly, gentle giant taken too soon” and another said “RIP buddy. Good friends and good people are hard to come by, but you were both”.
Local SDLP Councillor Brian Tierney said that the tragic father was a popular figure in the city.
“John was a very popular figure within Galliagh and the wider Derry community,” he said.
“There is a sadness about here today. I would pass on our condolences to John’s family.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this sad and difficult time.”
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