Fordrough pub murder: Five bailed

Mar 23 2009 By Edward Chadwick

FIVE men have been bailed by murder squad detectives hunting the killer of a Birmingham dad who died as he tried to break up a pub fight.

Tracy McConnell, aged 46, who is married with two young daughters, was knocked to the ground outside the Fordrough pub in West Heath after violence erupted late on Friday.

He is believed to have hit his head as he fell and died the following morning in hospital.

Today, West Midlands Police said a total of five people were arrested and later released on bail pending further inquiries.

Heartbroken family and friends today paid tribute to the carpenter and said he was acting as peacemaker when trouble flared in the pub car park. Niece Marie Hayes said Tracy’s mother Amelia was struggling to cope with the second tragedy to devastate their family after the sudden death of the victim’s brother Gerard, who died recently.

“He was always there to help anybody and will be greatly missed,” she said.

“The families only comfort is knowing that his brother Gerard is now looking after him in heaven.

“He was a highly skilled carpenter and everything my nan looks at in her home reminds her of him as he worked hard building and making things for his parents.”

Regulars at the pub spoke of a tense atmosphere before a fight began outside at about 11.30pm.