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02/03/2006
Police carry out searches in murder victim's home
Police in west Belfast have raided the home of a man who was stabbed to death last month.
The 39-year-old father of six, Gerard Devlin, was fatally stabbed as he called to collect his children from their Whitecliff Parade home.
Since the murder, several homes in the area have been targeted in arson attacks and people have experienced intimidation.
Four members of the same family have been charged with the murder.
Police today told a member of Mr Devlin's family that they had raided the house, searching for petrol bombs.
One family member said that they were extremely angry and upset by the police raid adding that the family had been issued with death threats.
A spokesman for Sinn Fein expressed his disdain at today's police activity.
He said: "This raid is insensitive, outrageous and completely unwarranted and tensions are running very high in the area."
Since the murder, the PSNI have been investigating possible links between the death and disturbances in the Ballymurphy area.
In a statement, the police said: "While we realise there have been sensitivities and tensions in the area recently we are still obligated to investigate the numerous serious crimes that have been reported to us.
"If we did not we would be failing in that duty and would undoubtedly be held to account.
"It is not our intention to cause distress, however the searches are legal and are considered necessary and proportionate.
The police again appealed to the public for information that could assist police inquiries.
(EF/SP)
The 39-year-old father of six, Gerard Devlin, was fatally stabbed as he called to collect his children from their Whitecliff Parade home.
Since the murder, several homes in the area have been targeted in arson attacks and people have experienced intimidation.
Four members of the same family have been charged with the murder.
Police today told a member of Mr Devlin's family that they had raided the house, searching for petrol bombs.
One family member said that they were extremely angry and upset by the police raid adding that the family had been issued with death threats.
A spokesman for Sinn Fein expressed his disdain at today's police activity.
He said: "This raid is insensitive, outrageous and completely unwarranted and tensions are running very high in the area."
Since the murder, the PSNI have been investigating possible links between the death and disturbances in the Ballymurphy area.
In a statement, the police said: "While we realise there have been sensitivities and tensions in the area recently we are still obligated to investigate the numerous serious crimes that have been reported to us.
"If we did not we would be failing in that duty and would undoubtedly be held to account.
"It is not our intention to cause distress, however the searches are legal and are considered necessary and proportionate.
The police again appealed to the public for information that could assist police inquiries.
(EF/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
