POLICE investigating the murder of a father-of-two in Belfast on Sunday have revealed he was stabbed 11 times in the back.
Ian Ogle, 45, was attacked in Cluan Place in the east of the city just before 9.30pm on Sunday.
He also sustained a fractured skull during the brutal attack, which was carried out by at least five men.
Police said one line of inquiry is that he was murdered by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).
Altercation
Police believe Mr Ogle was present when an altercation took place outside a fast food outlet on Beerbridge Road at around 8.45pm on Sunday.
Shortly before 9.30pm, Mr Ogle’s killers parked a black Seat Leon, registration number JGZ 7406, in Langtry Court just off Templemore Avenue.
They then walked the short distance to Cluan Place, via Templemore Avenue and the Albertbridge Road.
After the attack, they returned to Templemore Avenue, where some of the killers got into the car and others dispersed on foot from Langtry Court.
UVF link investigated
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said one line of inquiry was the involvement of the UVF.
“There has been widespread speculation about the motive for Ian’s murder,” he said.
“Only those who were involved know how they sought to justify a family man being brutally murdered in the street.
I want to be clear – there was no justification for the murder of Ian Ogle.
“I can confirm that one line of enquiry is that Ian was murdered by individuals who were members of East Belfast UVF.
“The UVF have issued statements in relation to Ian’s murder. It is too early in the investigation to establish the veracity of those.”
Intimidation claim
Sinn Féin’s policing spokesperson Gerry Kelly, who met with investigators this week, called for increased protection for the victim’s family.
“Sinn Féin condemned unreservedly Sunday’s brutal murder of East Belfast man Ian Ogle,” he said.
“We called for appropriate arrangements to be put in place to ensure the safety of other members of this man’s family, which has [been] the target of intimidation over a long period of time by people linked to the UVF.”
So far six people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 referencing 1303 of 27/1/19 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
