Five murder arrests after man found dead in Newport

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A 26-year-old man was found dead on Thursday night in Newport's Balfe Road

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a man was found dead in Newport.

A man was attacked in Balfe Road in the Alway area at about 21:00 BST on Thursday, Gwent Police said.

Officers and paramedics attended but confirmed the 26-year-old man - named locally as Ryan O'Connor - had died.

Three men from Cardiff, aged 18 and 19, and two 17-year-old boys from Cardiff and Caerphilly are in custody and police remain on the scene.

'Heart of gold'

Mr O'Connor's brother Johnny said: "I'm still in shock, this doesn't seem real. None of this.

"My brother, was chopsy, but had a heart of gold.

"He was an Alway lad through and through, everyone on the estate knew him."

News imageBalloons by Balfe Road
People have left green balloons at the scene

Mr O'Connor said all the flowers left showed how popular his brother was, adding: "He'd just gone to the shop last night, then this happened."

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The cordon on the roundabout on Balfe Road and Aberthaw has now been lifted and police officers have left the scene.

At least 50 people remain here on the estate, where every other minute, more flowers are brought here.

News imageFloral tributes to Ryan O'Connor in Newport
Flowers line the railings along Balfe Road in memory of Ryan O'Connor

The flowers run for about 15m (50ft) along the railings on Balfe Road.

Music is being played at the vigil, while balloons have been released and fireworks set off as people pay tribute to Mr O'Connor, who was known as "Apple".

News imagePolice at the scene
Police carried out a fingertip search of the area earlier on Friday

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