Orde Defends Police Officers Holding Talks With Loyalists On Day Of Coleraine Murder

PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde (pictured) has denied allegations that police were 'dictated to' by loyalists prior to the brutal sectarian murder of Coleraine man Kevin McDaid.

Responding to concerns raised by the McDaid family, detailed in a solicitor's statement, Sir Hugh said: "We run the Police Service of Northern Ireland, no one else. My officers will not be told what to do by anyone."

Father-of-four Mr McDaid, a Catholic, was beaten to death close to his home at the weekend.

Nine men appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with the murder, and the attempted murder of another man. They all deny the charges.

Last night a 53-year-old man, arrested in connection with the attacks, was released pending further inquires.

Mr McDaid's family has suggested loyalists threatened violence in the area unless certain demands were met by the police.

In a statement, the McDaids said it was a "fundamental tenet of a civilised society that individuals such as these should not dictate the terms of law and order".

The family said they were "further concerned that given the prior knowledge of the threat, neither we nor our neighbours were properly protected by the police.

"We want the community to support the police, but equally police must also support the community."

Despite acknowledging "substantial talks" had taken place between both sides before Sunday's violence, Sir Hugh said: "No one dictates terms in terms of keeping the peace to the Police Service."

The McDaid family, which has made a formal complaint to the NI Police Ombudsman, thanked the officers who tended to Kevin at the scene.

They said they were "grateful to the members of the PSNI who attended to Kevin after this horrific assault and who attempted to administer CPR as he lay dying at our feet."

The family appealed for calm in the area, insisting the attack should not been seen as Mr McDaid's lasting legacy.

"It is not what he would have wanted. Kevin lived helping others.

"His short life was spent trying to bridge the divide that exists in our community.

"His death at the hands of people who have nothing to offer our community should not be allowed to undo his life's work," they said.

Meanwhile, some offensive comments posted on a Bebo page pertaining to represent the Coleraine-based Pride of the Bann loyalist flute band have been removed.

It has been reported a number of comments referring to the weekend's violence were posted on the site.

Calls have been made for the page to be removed by Bebo.

One contributor commented on the page: "Pride of the band are we were not scared of the ruc.. we'll show use wot we can do."

Since initial media reports, it appears other posting have been removed, including one which read: "Well done lads!! respect what happened on sunday but maintain ur faith. proper order!!"

A spokesman for Pride of the Bann Flute Band told the Belfast Telegraph: "Pride of the Bann Flute Band Coleraine, have no site on Bebo.

"If there is a site claiming to be Pride of the Bann, band leaders have asked that whoever set this site up to remove it immediately."

See: Coleraine Murder Accused In Court

(PR/BMcc)