A MAN arrested in England by detectives investigating the murder of Ian Ogle had just got off a plane from Thailand, the Irish News can reveal.
The 33-year-old was detained at Heathrow Airport in London on Wednesday. He was transported to Musgrave Street Station in Belfast where he remained in custody last night being questioned by detectives.
The father-of-two was beaten and stabbed to death close to his Cluan Place home in east Belfast on Sunday January 27.
Up to five people are thought to have been involved in the attack.
Speaking at a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board yesterday, acting Assistant Chief Constable Barbara Gray told the board that the investigation was "fast moving" and one that had involved 14 arrests and multiple searches.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna, from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team, said they had been working with UK and international partners prior to the arrest of the man who had been in Southeast Asia.
It is believed detectives are also working with authorities in Spain's Costa Blanca in relation to another suspect they are keen to speak to in relation to the murder.
"I would like to renew my appeal for witnesses to this horrific murder," Det McKenna said.
"His skull was fractured and he was savagely stabbed 11 times in the back before being left to die on the street.
“I believe that the events leading up to Ian’s murder began on the Beersbridge Road, around 8.45pm on that 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".
Police once again appealed for anyone who noticed black Seat Leon, registration number JGZ 7406 in Langtry Court, just off Templemore Avenue at around the time of the murder.
The car was used by some of the killers to flee the scene and was recovered by police at Pitt Place.
"I want to hear from anyone who saw 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 January 27.
"If you were driving in that area or have any dash-cam footage, please contact us. If you have found recently discarded clothing or weapons of any sort, I want to know about that.
"Please contact the investigation team at Musgrave police station on 101 referencing 1303 of 27/1/19 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 which is completely anonymous", he added.
