Boy (16) charged with Gerard Quinn murder in Derry

Murder victim Gerard Quinn (left) with his twin brother Michael who was injured in the altercation at the weekend

Gerard Quinn was killed following an altercation in the Currynierin area of the city shortly before 10.30pm.

Some local political representatives have claimed the 24-year-old may have been stabbed in the neck with a bottle during the incident at a house party in Milldale Crescent.

He was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital where he later died.

His twin brother Michael was treated for head injuries which are described as not life-threatening.

The 16-year-old was detained shortly after midnight on Saturday and is due to appear in court today. He has also been charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to the assault on Michael Quinn.

A neighbour of the murdered man has described how he tried in vain to save his life. Paul Sharkey grabbed a towel and ran to Mr Quinn’s aid as the victim was slumped by a wall.

“I was holding his neck, keeping pressure on. I still had a pulse,” he told the BBC.

“We rolled him over, lost the pulse straight away and I started CPR. I managed to get a small pulse back again and then the ambulance turned up and took over from there.

“He went up to the hospital with a pulse and he was fighting for his life ... I’m really glad that he did not die on the street.”

Describing the scene, Mr Sharkey said there were a number of people screaming.

“I haven’t slept, every time I close my eyes I can just see the young fella.

“This is something I’m never going to get over,” he added.

Mr Quinn has been described by some of those who knew him as a “fun loving” character.

The manager of Nierin football club, Jimmy McAlister, paid tribute to the player the club has now lost.

“He was fun loving, he played football with a smile on his face you know. He was one of the characters in the changing room that everybody liked. It’s devastating, heartbreaking, he’s got a young kid of his own and it’s just a complete shock to everybody.”

Mr McAlister added: “Everybody round here knows everybody else so the whole estate will be feeling it today and for a long time to come.”