Partner of man murdered in street attack witnessed him being beaten and killed outside home

A WOMAN saw her partner fatally wounded in a “brutal and violent” assault without realising that it was him.

It was only when the 48-year-old woman went outside after the attack had taken place that she recognised William Mc-Keeney.

Mr McKeeney, 57, was taken by ambulance to the Victoria Infirmary, in Glasgow, where he died without regaining consciousness. Police said his partner has been left “completely traumatised”.

Mr McKeeney was walking home after a night out when he was attacked by two men in Melville Street, in Pollokshields, Glasgow, at 12:40am on Sunday.

When his partner found him, he was unconscious.

Area commander Chief Inspector Stephen McAllister said: “The fact she found him makes it even more horrendous.”

Mr McKeeney had been out locally and called his partner shortly before he was attacked to say he was coming home.

Detective Chief Inspector David Gailey, of Strathclyde Police, who is appealing for witnesses, said: “Mr McKeeney suffered massive injuries to his head and body in what can only be described as a brutal and sustained attack.

“To speculate on a motive at this time is completely unhelpful and indeed may hinder our investigation. However, we are keeping an open mind as to why it happened.

“People should be repulsed by what has happened and I would ask them to think about the effect this has had on his partner, and on the local community.”

Mr McKeeney, who was originally from Donegal in the Republic of Ireland, was “extremely popular” in the area and had no known enemies, police said.

The labourer had been living in Glasgow for the past five years. Mr Gailey added: “He went out of his way to help members of the community on a day-to-day basis. There is no motive for the crime at present and it is absolutely pivotal that I establish what the motive is.”

Police are looking for two men in their early twenties, and of Asian appearance, in connection with the murder.

One is 6ft 2in to 6ft 4in tall and slim, and was wearing a light coloured hoodie, and light grey tracksuit bottoms. The other is of average height and build, and wore a navy tracksuit.

Mr Gailey said: “The cause of Mr McKeeney’s death was the result of a physical attack on him.

“He suffered injuries to his head and body. There is nothing to suggest a weapon was used, but I’m not in a position to rule a particular weapon out.

“At the moment it would appear that it was a completely unprovoked and violent attack.

“There is absolutely nothing at the moment to suggest that this is a racially motivated attack.”

Police have appealed to anyone in the area who knows who killed Mr McKeeney, or who saw or heard the attack, to contact them. Mr Gailey said: “I am convinced that because of the local nature of this investigation, the answer lies within the Pollokshields community.

“My message to the killers is that I would like them to consider the impact that their violence has had on the Pollokshields community, and if they have any conscience at all, I ask them on behalf of the community to give themselves up.”

Extra officers are patrolling the area to reassure residents. Chief Insp McAllister said: “I would encourage people to approach them with any information or concerns they may have.”