'Nicest guy' student stabbed to death in unprovoked attack

A MURDER hunt is under way after a promising student was stabbed in an unprovoked attack after a night out watching a football match at a pub.

Reamonn Gormley was walking home alone along the main road running through Blantyre, Lanarkshire, when he was confronted by two young men and attacked with a knife just before 11pm on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old was in his first year as a sports psychology student at Glasgow University after leaving St John Ogilvie High School in Hamilton last year. He had spent three months in Thailand last summer where he had volunteered as an English teacher with The Good Children Foundation, a charity for children with Down's Syndrome.

The avid Celtic fan had been watching his favourites take on Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the town's Parkville Hotel, which is owned by former Parkhead star Harry Hood.

He left the venue on his own and was reportedly attacked after refusing to hand over his wallet to two men, one of whom was wearing a hooded top and had his face covered with a scarf.

He managed to stagger back to the hotel, where staff tried to save his life, but he later died in Hairmyres Hospital, in East Kilbride.

Strathclyde Police last night said there was no suggestion of sectarian motives or that arguments about football had been behind the murder.

Knife attacks in Scotland accounted for nearly half the murder toll during 2009-10, sparking calls for tougher action against criminals caught carrying blades. However, the latest figures also showed knife killings fell from 57 to 35 during the past year.

Officers were yesterday poring over CCTV images and carrying out door-to-door inquiries, while a forensic examination was being carried out at the murder scene.

Detective chief inspector Robbie Allan said: "We know that Raemonn was watching football with a friend. Shortly before 11pm he was walking home alone along Glasgow Road, when he was involved in a completely unprovoked attack.

"Glasgow Road is the main thoroughfare for pedestrians and vehicles. I would therefore appeal to anyone who was in Glasgow Road around 11pm and saw a disturbance take place or indeed recognises the descriptions of the suspects to please let me know. No matter how insignificant you think the information is, please contact us and let us decide."

Football tops and flowers were laid at the murder scene by visiting friends and relatives throughout the day yesterday.

One message on a Celtic football top from friend Johnny Strachan read: "Reamonn, can't believe you are gone. You were the greatest mate. All the boys love you. You'll never walk alone."

A floral tribute read: "A beautiful life lost. "You will always be in our hearts. Love always and God bless."Best friend Paul Brown, 19, of Hamilton, described Mr Gormley as the "nicest guy in the world".

He said: "He was always really popular. I heard what happened to him straight after it happened, and I still can't believe it. Reamonn was really clever, he was at university and was doing really well."