Loyalists blamed for town killing

Mr Hollran travelled to Carrickfergus from Belfast by train

The family of a man found murdered in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, have blamed the UDA for the killing.

Police have not ruled out paramilitary involvement in the murder of Tommy Hollran, 49, who was found with serious injuries in an alleyway on Saturday.

It is understood that he may have been attacked after loyalist paramilitaries ordered him to stay away from the town.

Mr Hollran's sister, Jill, said her brother died in a savage attack which left his face badly damaged.

"His face was badly bashed in, they burst all the blood vessels in his face, they gave him some hiding," she said.

"He was just kind hearted - he would have done anything for anybody."

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain condemned the murder and said those responsible were "a threat to the whole community".

Mr Hollran was found at about 2200 GMT and was taken to hospital where he died on Sunday afternoon.

It is understood Mr Hollran, who was unemployed, was ordered to leave Carrickfergus last year following a dispute with loyalist paramilitaries.

'Two youths'

Police think Mr Hollran travelled to Carrickfergus from Belfast by train on Saturday, arriving at the Clipperstown train station at about 2125 GMT.

They believe that he walked to the Woodburn area to visit a relative.

Detectives want to speak to any train passenger travelling from Belfast to Larne, who finished their journey at Clipperstown or indeed who was using that station on Saturday night.

They also want to speak to two youths in the area of Woodburn Avenue/Cherry Walk who reported the incident to a local resident.

Forensic scientists working at the murder scene

The mayor of Carrickfergus, David Hilditch of the DUP, said the town was shocked by the murder.

"I would appeal for anybody who knows anything about this despicable attack to please get in touch with the police.

"It would also save the family further pain if the perpetrators gave themselves up," Mr Hilditch said.

East Antrim DUP MP Sammy Wilson has condemned the murder.

He said: "This is an abhorrent murder and my thoughts are with the family of Mr Hollran at this awful time for them.

Ulster Unionist assembly member Roy Beggs Jnr said that the "reports on the vicious assault which led to the death of Mr Hollran are truly shocking".

"I am very concerned that the psychopaths who did this are still at large and quite possibly walking around Carrickfergus."