DETECTIVES investigating the murder of popular Co Antrim barman Glenn Quinn have arrested three people.
A 38-year-old man and a 47-year-old woman were arrested in Carrickfergus after searches of properties on Sunday evening. However, police only confirmed the arrests on Monday. A third man, aged 39, was arrested after searches in Newtownards, Co Down, on Monday.
Police announced late on Monday night that the investigation had become a murder inquiry.
Mr Quinn’s body was discovered at his flat in Ashleigh Park in Carrickfergus on Saturday afternoon.
The area has remained closed off since as forensic officers examine the flat where he is believed to have been subjected to a vicious and sustained assault some time on Friday. The 47-year-old was murdered after a public altercation with a leading member of the South East Antrim UDA.
Sources say the paramilitary boss ordered the attack on Mr Quinn in his home.
Well liked in the town, the victim had no connections to any paramilitary group, while two of his brothers are retired RUC officers. Following the assault he is thought to have phoned a family member, giving them details of what happened and naming people he believed to be involved.
The relative tried to convince him to seek medical assistance and then raised the alarm after becoming concerned that he was no longer responding to phone calls. Police called to the flat and discovered Mr Quinn’s badly beaten body.
UUP MLA John Stewart said: “I would appeal for anyone with information to come forward. Everyone I spoke to refers to the victim as a lovely and kind-hearted person, someone who was not involved in anything that should lead to this.
“The family no doubt want answers as quickly as possible and hopefully the police will be able to provide information.”
It is the third murder linked to the breakaway UDA faction in recent years. Former loyalist leader Geordie Gilmore was murdered in 2017. His friend Colin Horner was also shot dead as part of a feud within the organisation.
A PSNI spokesperson said: “Detectives investigating the death of a 47-year-old man in the Woodbourne area of Carrickfergus have arrested a 38-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm with intent; a 39-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated burglary and a 47-year-old woman on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent. All three remain in custody at this time. A postmortem is due to take place to determine the cause of death.”
Late on Monday night police said the three were rearrested on suspicion of murder and remained in police custody.
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: “I am aware that speculation is circulating that this death is in some way related to the activities of South East Antrim UDA.
“The investigation remains at a very early stage and it is not yet possible to be definitive about the motivation for this man’s murder but the potential for it to be linked to those associated with paramilitary organisations will form part of our investigation.”