Dissident 'backdrop' to killings

Mr Jones was discovered in north Belfast, near Elmfield Street

Police investigating the killings of two men in Belfast, now say their murders are linked.

The body of Edward Burns, 36, - who was shot in the head - was found near the Falls Road and the beaten body of Joe Jones, 38, was discovered in Ardoyne.

Investigating officers said the killings took place against the backdrop of tension within dissident republicanism.

It is understood the organisation involved may be the Continuity IRA.

Detective Superintendent George Clarke said that a spade had been found at the scene of Mr Jones murder and was being forensically examined.

The body of the Poleglass man was discovered in north Belfast, near Elmfield Street, at 0800 GMT on Monday. He had head injuries.

A shotgun and a handgun were recovered from near the scene during police searches on Tuesday.

The body of Mr Burns, from the Ardoyne area, was found early on Monday in a car park off the Falls Road near St Gall's GAA club.

DS Clarke said they had received excellent co-operation from the community, but that they wanted anyone who knew where the two men were between teatime on Sunday and breakfast on Monday to contact them.

"There clearly were existing tensions within dissident republicanism and that, I believe, is the backdrop to these two murders," he said.

Officers are interviewing another man in connection with the west Belfast murder.

He was admitted to the Royal Victoria Hospital with a gunshot wound to his upper body at 0300 GMT on Monday.

He said that he had been shot in the Bog Meadows area. Police went to the area and found Mr Burns' body.