Northern Ireland

Two men arrested on suspicion of Ian Ogle's murder

Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy makes an appeal for information about the murder of Ian Ogle. Pic Hugh Russell.
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy makes an appeal for information about the murder of Ian Ogle. Pic Hugh Russell. Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy makes an appeal for information about the murder of Ian Ogle. Pic Hugh Russell.

TWO men have been arrested today on suspicion of the murder of loyalist Ian Ogle in east Belfast.

The arrests bring to nine the number of people who have been questioned by police in connection with the fatal stabbing of the father of two in Cluan Place.

A detective leading the investigation into the murder said Ian Ogle's skull was fractured and he was stabbed 11 times in the back in a frenzied attack carried out by at least five men.

Detective superintendent Jason Murphy, who heads up the PSNI's Murder Investigation Team, has appealed for information on an altercation involving Mr Ogle on the Beersbridge Road in east Belfast, shortly before he was attacked by the gang close to his Cluan Place home.

It is understood that Mr Ogle and his son Ryan were both involved in an altercation outside a fast food premises on the Beersbridge Road at 8.45pm on Sunday, when they clashed with individuals who were later thought to be involved in the murder of the father of two.

Mr Murphy said; " I want to hear from anyone who witnessed this altercation or who knows anything about it, to contact police".

A short time later, at around 9.30pm, Mr Ogle was attacked by a gang who savagely beat him in front of horrified eye witnesses, including a local pastor.

A vigil was held at Cluan Place, off the Albertbridge Road, on January 30 in memory of Ian Ogle who was murdered on January 27
A vigil was held at Cluan Place, off the Albertbridge Road, on January 30 in memory of Ian Ogle who was murdered on January 27 A vigil was held at Cluan Place, off the Albertbridge Road, on January 30 in memory of Ian Ogle who was murdered on January 27

Read more: 

  • Ian Ogle's daughter says family had been 'living in fear from east Belfast UVF'
  • UVF says east Belfast murder of Ian Ogle was not 'in the name of loyalism or the UVF'

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder today, bringing the total number of arrests to nine. Men aged 38 and 36 have been arrested. 

A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday remains in custody.

Four men aged 21, 31, 45 and 49 and two women, aged 35 and 36 who were arrested have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police have so far carried out 14 searches and say they are viewing more than 70 hours of CCTV footage linked to the attack.

Detective Superintendent Murphy said his thoughts were "first and foremost with the family of Ian Ogle who was viciously attacked by a gang of men on Sunday night and sadly later died from his horrific injuries.

"Ian's murder has not only disgusted the entire community, it has left his wife, two children and wider family circle completely devastated.

"I believe that the events leading up to Ian’s murder began on the Beersbridge Road, around 8.45pm on Sunday evening, when an altercation took place outside a fast food outlet.

"The exact circumstances of that incident are still developing, but I believe that Ian was there. I want to hear from anyone who witnessed this altercation or who knows anything about it, to contact police".

Police have also appealed for anyone who may have seen a black Seat Leon, registration number JGZ 7406 in Langtry Court, just off Templemore Avenue.

The car used by the killers to flee the scene was waiting at Templemore Avenue, police say some of the killers got into the car and others dispersed on foot from Langtry Court, into the nearby estate.

The Seat was driven along Templemore Avenue, into Major Street and onto the lower Newtownards Road, before being left at Pitt Place where it was recovered by police.

"A fight on the Beersbridge Road, a group of at least five men walking or running to and from Cluan Place and a black Seat Leon car at Langtry Court. All of this happened between 8.30pm and 10pm on Sunday night. Did you see anything?", Mr Murphy said.

Read more: UVF say there will be 'no protection' for killers of Ian Ogle

The leadership of the East Belfast UVF, in a coded statement to the Irish News on Monday, said they would not be offering protection to those involved adding; "Whoever did it did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF".

The MIT detective said while he was aware of the statement it was "too early in the investigation to establish the veracity" of it.

However, added that he was appealing to "those with influence to work with us to locate these men and bring them to justice and I want those who know about what these men did before and after the attack to contact us".

Over 1000 people gathered close to the spot where Mr Ogle was murdered on Wednesday night for a vigil in his memory.

Ulster Unionist councillor Sonia Copeland, who is friendly with the victim's family, said they "now wish to leave the investigation in the hands of the PSNI" adding that they will be "making no further public comment".

Murder victim Ian Ogle.
Murder victim Ian Ogle. Murder victim Ian Ogle.