A 23-YEAR-OLD man was arrested in Omagh this afternoon in connection with the death of Monaghan student Jason McGovern on 31 December 2012.

Detectives from the PSNI’s Serious Crime Branch said the man is assisting them with their enquiries.

A murder investigation was launched after Jason McGovern was found dead at a house in Monaghan on New Year’s Eve morning. He had been assaulted twice while on a night out in Omagh but later made his way back to a friend’s home.

Police believe the 19-year-old encountered a group of men outside the Terrace Bar on John Street in Omagh in the early hours of 31 December and a verbal exchange took place. Punches were thrown and Jason McGovern was hit several times in the head and upper body.

He and a friend walked towards a nearby taxi but were followed by several people from the original group. Jason McGovern was struck again in the face and collapsed to the ground.

A post mortem examination determined that the victim died from a serious head injury sustained in the assaults.

Five men, aged between 17 and 21, appeared in court on Saturday in connection with the death of the 19-year-old.

Comments on this article have been disabled as court proceedings have started.

Previously: Five men charged as part of Jason McGovern investigation