Senior PSNI officers are to meet with the family of deceased Co Tyrone teenager Matthew McCallan after the family raised concerns about the missing person investigation launched by police.
Matthew's body was discovered in the Tattyreagh Road area of Fintona shortly before 12 noon yesterday, Monday 5th December.
The 15-year-old Dungannon schoolboy had been attending a country music night with friends on Saturday before being reported missing in the early hours of Sunday.
In a social media post, Matthew's mum Frances alleged the PSNI 'did nothing in the first 10 to 12 hours' of her son going missing, adding she had told them his sudden disappearance was 'totally out of character'.
In a statement on Tuesday, the PSNI said two senior officers would be meeting with Matthew's family, and that it would be referring the case to the Police Ombudsman for an assessment.
Detective Superintendent Gareth Talbot said: “Our thoughts remain with Matthew’s devastated family. The pain they are experiencing is difficult to comprehend. A number of specially trained officers are providing support to them at this tragic time.
“We are aware of the family’s concerns regarding the initial police response in the search for Matthew and the family have agreed to meet two senior officers to discuss.
“Due to the family’s concerns we have decided at an early stage to make a notification to the Office of the Police Ombudsman of Northern Ireland, for their assessment."
The circumstances around Matthew's death are still being treated as 'unexplained', with a post mortem due to take place on Tuesday.
“Detectives will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Matthew’s death, which is being treated as unexplained and a post mortem is due to take place today," Detective Talbot added.
“We are keeping an open mind at this stage and would appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Matthew was last seen at approximately 1.20am in the Ecclesville Centre, Fintona, and we are keen to establish his movements after this time."
Matthew's body was discovered in a ditch in the laneway of a property, approximately two miles away from the Jamboree country music night at the Ecclesville Centre at around 11.45am on Monday.
“Enquiries have now ruled out speculation which circulated on social media that Matthew was seen getting into a silver car. We have now identified and spoken to the occupants of the car and eliminated them from our enquiries.
“I would appeal to anyone who saw Matthew or anyone who has CCTV or dashcam footage, to contact police on 101, quoting 319 of 04/12/22.”
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