By Orla McNicholl

A FORMER soldier, who was killed in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan on Friday, had ‘adopted Limavady as his second home,’ the town’s Mayor has said.

Simon Chase was killed along with 20 others during the attack on a restaurant in Kabul on Friday.

It is understood that Mr Chase, known to friends as Si, was working in Afghanistan as a bodyguard for the European police Europol.

Originally from Merseyside, Simon had been living in Limavady with his fiancée Norma McDowell and two children.

He was well-known through the town having worked as a doorman at a local nightclub.

It is understood Mr Chase was also a boxing coach for a sports club in the north Derry town.

Leading the tributes to the ex-Cheshire Regiment soldier, Limavady Mayor Gerry Mullan last night said that Simon was ‘well-liked and well-respected’ by locals.

“A lot of shock has reverberated around the town at the minute,” said the SDLP man.

“I didn’t know Simon personally but by all accounts he was a well-known and well-liked gentleman especially among the younger generation who knew him through his work as a doorman at a local nightclub.  I understand that he was also involved in local sporting clubs in the town and coached boxing so he was well-liked and well-respected.

“Simon adopted Limavady as his second home and going by all the tributes which were paid to him over the weekend, Limavady seemed to have adopted him too.

“I would like to offer my condolences to Simon’s partner, his two young sons and family and friends.  He will be sadly missed,” added Councillor Mullan.

If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Derry Now editorial team on 028 7129 6600 for Derry City stories Or 028 7774 3970 for County Derry stories. Or you can email gareth@derrynews.net at any time.