A SIMPLE cordon across a Greenisland road was the only indication last night that a quiet residential area had witnessed a shocking crime.
Several commuters walking back to their homes or driving from the nearby train station expressed their horror that a 67-year-old man had been murdered just yards away.
Neighbours of Eddie Girvan, none of whom wished to be named, said they were stunned at news of a brutal murder in their community.
One young mother said she was appalled by the crime.
"I pass that house every day," she said. "It's really terrible."
"You'd think at that time of night someone would have heard something, but maybe not."
Another man said he understood Mr Girvan "kept himself to himself".
"These things happen every day but when it's on your own doorstep it's a different matter isn't it?"
However, another neighbour said the road was so busy that she felt it was unlikely people living near Mr Girvan would have noticed any disturbance.
"You wouldn't really hear anything on this road. There are cars going up and down even at that time of night because it's so close to the train station," she said.
The road was due to remain closed until the early hours of today.
Ulster Unionist assembly member Roy Beggs said he was stunned by the death.
"I share the shock felt by the entire Greenisland community at the news of this horrendous and vicious crime," he said.
"A small piece of information could be the critical evidence needed by the PSNI to successfully prosecute those responsible for this murder."
East Antrim PUP representative Jim McCaw also said those who carried out the killing must be brought before the courts.
"No person should be violently attacked in their home, especially the elderly, we, as a community, must come together and help the PSNI tackle crimes like this," he said.
