Ian Ogle murder: Four still held over Cluan Place attack

Ian Ogle had acted as a spokesman for the loyalist community

Four people are still being questioned over the murder of 45-year-old Ian Ogle in east Belfast at the weekend.

Mr Ogle died after he was assaulted at Cluan Place, off the Albertbridge Road, at about 21:00 GMT on Sunday.

PSNI forensic officers examining the murder scene

Two men, aged 31 and 45, and two women, aged 35 and 36, were arrested on Monday night.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward, particularly anyone who may have seen a group of men running in the area.

"We have been conducting a number of enquiries today and those enquiries are continuing," Det Ch Insp Peter McKenna said on Monday.

"I would like to thank the local community for their patience and assistance as we progress our investigation.

"We are continuing in our efforts to find those responsible for this brutal murder."

Searches believed to be linked to the investigation, have taken place on the lower Newtownards Road.

Less than a mile from the murder scene, the PSNI cordoned off an area near Pitt Place and put up a security tent.

Police carried out searches on the Newtownards Road in east Belfast

Family members gathered at the scene at lunchtime on Monday.

The Irish News said a statement was issued to the paper by the east Belfast UVF.

The statement said that the east Belfast UVF "wholeheartedly condemned" the murder and that "whoever did it, did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF".

The local DUP MP, Gavin Robinson, condemned the murder, while the grand secretary of Orange Order, Rev Mervyn Gibson, met Mr Ogle's family and said they were "devastated".

PUP councillor Dr John Kyle said: "Ian has served his local community for years. He will be sadly missed by many."

'Barbaric'

DUP councillor George Dorrian, who also knew the victim, said he had been told he was beaten by a group of people in a "barbaric attack".

He said people couldn't believe the level of violence involved.

Mr Ogle had acted as a spokesman for the loyalist community and took part in a meeting of the loyalist Ulster Peoples forum in 2013.

'No saint'

A loyalist source told BBC News NI Ian Ogle "was no saint" but was "a decent member of the community" who stood up for his family.

"He was an influence for good in a difficult situation," the source said.

Police carried out searches in Pitt Place, east Belfast