UDA is blamed over hotel killing

Mr Nelson was attacked outside a disco in County Antrim

Detectives investigating the murder of a man attacked outside a Newtownabbey hotel after a disco, are now blaming the UDA.

Stephen Nelson, who was 55, died in hospital in March after the attack at the Chimney Corner Hotel on the Antrim Road in September 2004.

The officer in charge of the investigation has said Mr Nelson was killed by a gang of UDA men.

Up to 10 men kicked and punched Mr Nelson during the attack.

He was left in a coma and died from his injuries on March 18.

About 100 of the 360 people who were in the disco earlier have come foreward.

Police want to talk to the rest of them, and to taxi drivers who were outside.

Mr Nelson had worked at the hotel as a doorman for several years.

There has been speculation that he was killed because he tried to stop the UDA from selling drugs at the disco.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Gilchrist said this was one line of inquiry being investigated.

At the time, police described the killing as "brutal and horrendous".

Eight men were arrested and questioned about the assault, but were released without charge.