The men, one of which is Michael McElhattaon, owner of The Greenvale Hotel, were arrested on Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of manslaughter and were brought to a police station in Dungannon, County Tyrone, for questioning. Around 100 young people were pushed to the ground against the gates of the venue, which was hosting a St Patrick’s Day disco.
The tragedy happened at about 9.30pm on Sunday before the venue had opened its gates.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said in a tweet: “Detectives from PSNI Major Investigation Team investigating the deaths of three teenagers at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on Saint Patrick’s Day have arrested two men aged 52 and 40 earlier today on suspicion of manslaughter.
“They are currently in custody.”
Lauren Bullock, 17, Morgan Barnard, 17, and Connor Currie, 16, died after a disco crush erupted outside the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown on Sunday night.
The crowd were waiting in cold and wet conditions to enter the event when the disaster unfolded.
Eyewitnesses have described the horror of the event when teenagers were pushed to the floor and were struggling to breathe as they screamed.
Around 400 people were attempting to enter the disco when revellers began to fall to the ground.
Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray said at a press conference: “I think that we are fortunate, if that is the right word to use. In these circumstances we are looking at three deaths.
“Bad enough, a horrendous tragedy, but we could easily could be looking at more.”
Catherine McHugh, the principal of St Patrick’s College in Dungannon, called Lauren “a beautiful girl, a shining light in our school community”.
In a tribute on Facebook the football club where Connor paid football, Edendork St Malachy’s GAA, said: “We are deeply saddened and devastated to hear of the tragic passing of our much loved and highly thought of player and member Connor Currie.
“Connor will forever be remembered with the greatest affection by all associated with our club and indeed the wider Edendork community.”
Books of condolence have opened across Northern Ireland in memory of the three teenagers.
Following the crush, a 16-year-old girl was in a stable condition in hospital and two more teenagers have been treated for injuries.