The loyalist terror group the LVF has said it carried out the murder of a Catholic man in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

Police said the victim was Fergal McCusker, 28, who had only recently returned from the United States.

He was found with serious head injuries at the back of a youth club in Maghera shortly before 9.00 a.m. (GMT).

In a statement using a recognised codeword, the Loyalist Volunteer Force claimed its members had "... carried out the assassination of a known republican who is engaged in an arms shipment from America."

Friends of Mr McCusker denied he had republican connections and said he had simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Previous victim Terry Enwright, pictured with one of his children

Three other Catholics -- including Terry Enwright who was the husband of the niece of the Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams -- have been murdered by the Loyalist Volunteer Force since their leader, Billy Wright, was shot dead by members of the republican Irish National Liberation Army inside the Maze prison on December 27.

The LVF statement concluded with a warning of further attacks.

Anonymous call

Detectives said they had begun a murder inquiry after a body was found lying near a Catholic chapel next to a youth club in Upper Main Street, Maghera.

Billy Wright: revenge killings

They had been alerted by an anonymous call on Saturday night.

Superintendent Robin Campbell of the RUC said it was too early to say what was the exact cause of death.

Unionist politicians condemned the killing and appealed for anyone who had any information about it to tell the police.

David Ervine, leader of the Progressive Unionist Party, said he had no doubt that the LVF was trying to drag the IRA back into violence and to destabilise the multi-party talks, due to be resumed on Monday at Stormont.

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