Vehicles removed in murder inquiry

Motive for murder still unclear

Police investigating the killing of man believed, to be a former loyalist paramilitary leader, have carried out a number of searches in east Belfast.

Vehicles and a number of items were taken away for examination by the detectives in charge of the investigation into the murder of George Legge whose body was found dumped on Saturday.

Police, who are treating the death as murder, say the 37-year-old died of stab wounds. He had also been badly beaten.

His body was discovered in the gateway to a field at Clontonacally Road in Carryduff, in the outskirts of Belfast.

The latest searches follow the removal of items from an east Belfast bar, the Bunch of Grapes, which was damaged in a fire shortly after the discovery of Mr Legge's body.

George Legge's body was dumped on outskirts of east Belfast

The victim was said by loyalist sources to be a senior "military commander" in the Ulster Defence Association in east Belfast who had fallen out of favour in the months before his death.

The sources also told the BBC the man had been linked to drugs.

An RUC spokesman said Mr Legge had left his Island Street home at 2130GMT on Friday and was seen 15 minutes later in Chamberlain Street, heading towards the Bunch of Grapes.

His body was discovered by a man walking his dog at about 1315GMT on Saturday.

Tyre tracks at the scene have led the police to believe that Mr Legge may have been murdered and then dumped in Carryduff.

Second UDA death

Forensic officers carried out an inspection in the aftermath of the fire, which damaged the rear of the Beersbridge Road bar.

It is not known how the fire started but police have not ruled out the possibility that it was started maliciously.

The motive for the killing is not yet clear and detectives have appealed for information.

But it is the second time in less than three weeks that a member of the UDA is believed to have been killed by former comrades.

On 18 December the body of 29-year-old James Rockett was found at the back of Tyndale Gardens in north Belfast.

He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

Loyalist sources at the time linked his death to freelance drug dealing.

'Tragedy'

Ulster Democratic Party chairman John White said he was shocked and appalled by Mr Legge's death.

"I think the community need to speak up now and say we've had 30 years of violence and enough is enough," said Mr White, whose party is linked to the UDA.

"I think there's been a certain hardening of certain individuals because of the last 30 years and I think they need to start and refocus their views."

Local SDLP councillor Rosaleen Hughes said she believed the killing was brutal, and expressed her shock.

"It's a tragedy for his family, whoever they are. I thought we had left all this behind us."