‘Significant progress’ made by police probing murder of community worker
Police have made “significant progress” in their investigation into the murder of Belfast community worker Ian Ogle.
The 45-year-old father-of-two died after being attacked in Cluan Place, near a busy arterial route in the east of the city, at around 9pm on Sunday.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna said the level of violence was “barbaric”, adding: “It is quite frankly repulsive that they felt it was acceptable.
“There is no place for this inhumane behaviour in our communities and I would appeal for local people to come forward with any information they have so we can remove this intimidation and violence from our streets.”
He also revealed that police inquiries have “progressed significantly”.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, he said a number of arrests have been made and one person remains in custody.
Mr McKenna also released fresh information as he made a renewed appeal for witnesses.
“I now know that the people involved in killing Ian ran from Cluan Place to the Templemore Avenue area where they got into a black Seat Leon car, registration number JGZ 7406,” he said.
“This vehicle then travelled to Pitt Place and I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the car travelling in this area, or who saw the people in it, either before or after the murder.
“I’m interested in the movements of the car specifically between 9.15pm and 10pm.
“I would also like anyone driving in the area who may have dashcam footage to contact police.
“I am still particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a group of people running in this area.
“Anyone with any information should contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1303 of 27/1/19.”
Officers remained at the cordoned-off scene on Tuesday.
Up to 70 floral tributes, along with Everton FC and Rangers FC flags and scarfs, were left at the railings where Mr Ogle was attacked.
A number of local people were at the scene but declined to speak to the media.
The tributes included numerous messages, many addressing Mr Ogle by his nicknames Big O and Big Ogie.
Some of the messages expressed anger at the incident, while others spoke of heartbreak at the death of a man they described as a “true gentleman”.
One of the messages read: “To Ian, never thought I would be writing this. You stood your ground and loved your family. Will miss the banter we had together, you lived and died everyone’s friend.”
Another, attached to a bunch of orange roses, simply read: “You’ll be sadly missed by everyone. True family man.”
In a statement issued to the Irish News newspaper, the east Belfast UVF “wholeheartedly condemned” the murder.
It said: “Whoever did it did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF.”
A fundraising page set up to help Mr Ogle’s family pay for his funeral had raised more than £7,000 by Tuesday afternoon.
