Murder 'not linked' to loyalist feud

The man was attacked in Shankill area

The murder of a man, who died after he was seriously assaulted in Belfast at the weekend, was not linked to a loyalist feud according to the police officer leading the investigation.

Thomas Johnston, 24, died at 1100 GMT on Monday following the unprovoked assault in the Shankill area of west Belfast on Sunday morning.

He had been on a life support machine at the Mater Hospital suffering from severe head injuries.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hamlin said they had no clear leads.

This gentleman was the victim of a sustained and vicious attack

Nigel Goddard
PSNI Inspector

"We have absolutely no information as to any clear cut motives," he said.

"We are not ruling anything in and we are not ruling anything out as to why this person was assaulted at this time."

The man was attacked as he walked along North Boundary Street towards the Shankill estate at about 0230 GMT.

A BMW car pulled up next to the man and a passenger got out. He beat the victim round the head with an object.

Woman also beaten

He also attacked a woman who was with the victim, hitting her across the face.

Inspector Nigel Goddard said it was a vicious assault.

"This gentleman was the victim of a sustained and vicious attack," he said.

"He was hit on the head with an as yet unidentified weapon and fell to the ground.

"As a result of this, he has received serious head injuries."