East Belfast UVF moves to distance itself from killing

The 45-year-old father of two was brutally assaulted by a gang of people at the entrance to Cluan Place at around 9pm, with some of his attackers understood to be carrying knives.

The well-known loyalist, who has acted as a spokesperson for his community in the past, was taken to hospital where he later died.

Yesterday morning, a large cordon had been placed around the murder scene in Cluan Place and police were conducting searches of homes in the wider east Belfast area.

In a statement issued to the Irish News using a recognised codeword, the east Belfast UVF said it “wholeheartedly condemned” those behind the killing of the 45-year-old.

The PSNI, who were carrying out a series of searches yesterday, thanked the local community for their patience.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna said: “We have been conducting a number of inquiries today and those inquiries are continuing. I would like to thank the local community for their patience and assistance as we progress our investigation.”

Meanwhile, loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson has paid tribute to Mr Ogle and described his death as “barbaric and senseless”.

Mr Bryson worked alongside Mr Ogle on the now defunct Ulster People’s Forum, which emerged in 2013 in the wake of the Union Flag protests in Belfast.

He told the News Letter: “The murder of Ian Ogle served no cause. I would encourage anyone who has any information to take it to the PSNI and not be fearful of doing so.

“I knew Ian personally for a number of years and thought highly of him. He was an immensely popular person within the community and it is a sad loss not only to his family but the wider community.

“He did a lot of positive work within the interface in relation to bonfires and flags and other things. It is a big loss to the loyalist family. He was an all-round decent guy.”

Victims’ campaigner Willie Frazer, who also sat on the Ulster People’s Forum, praised Mr Ogle for his work in the community.

“I hadn’t seen him in a few years, but he did a lot of good work for the community and was trying to do the best he could to build up relationships in that area and move things forward, My sympathies go out to his family.”