A 46-year-old man has been charged with killing former UDA commander Colin 'Bap' Lindsay in a samurai sword attack at the Belvoir estate in south Belfast.
Albert Armstrong was arrested from a house in the estate after police received a call from a concerned member of the public.
Police yesterday took the unusual step of naming a suspect under arrest for the murder of the 47-year-old on Wednesday evening.
Stanley Wightman, a close friend of the murdered man, also received horrific injuries in the attack and was last night still in a critical condition in hospital.
Friends said his windpipe was cut and he may lose an arm that was partially severed.
The sword used was an ornamental samurai that had been hanging on a wall in the victim's home.
Mr Lindsay was pronounced dead at the scene, while Mr Wightman was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Three years ago Mr Lindsay was attacked by hammer-wielding gang who left him with serious head injuries and partially blind.
Leading loyalist Jackie McDonald, who was a close friend of the murder victim, said the family were "struggling to come to terms with the attack".
"This was particularly brutal attack and the family, who are very well regarded in this area, are struggling with the circumstances.
"Bap was attacked by drug dealers three years ago and at that time the doctors thought he wouldn't survive. He had lasting injuries and wouldn't have been able to defend himself against an attack.
"I would say that this was an isolated incident, there was no history between Bap and the man arrested and people shouldn't jump to conclusions.
"Instead of speculating our thoughts should be with Bap's family and helping them and Stanley's family get through this terrible time."
