Co Derry Security Officer Dies In Afghanistan

A former British Army soldier from the North has been killed in war-torn Afghanistan.

As it emerged at the weekend that another three serving British soldiers had been killed, the former Royal Irish Regiment soldier from Co Londonderry also died while working as a private security guard.

Stewart Murray, 40, who was from Ballykelly, was tragically killed while on route back home to Ireland.

It is understood he was caught in an ambush, but it's not clear yet whether it was a bomb or gun attack.

While in Afghanistan on a civilian basis, he was still a serving member of the UK's Territorial Army and held the rank of staff sergeant.

He is thought to have been on his second stint in Afghanistan after leaving the Army in 2006, following 21 years' service.

His widow was expecting him back this week and it's thought he may have been killed after leaving a day early to travel home.

His grieving family's local priest, Fr Edward Gallagher, who has been comforting Mr Murray's widow and children, said the news was just beginning to sink in.

He told the BBC this morning: "A very difficult aspect of this is that Stuart's death has occurred halfway across the world so there's the distance involved and perhaps the length of time it will take to bring Stuart home again," he said.

See: Many More Die In Afghanistan

(BMcC/KMcA)