Two men are still being questioned by police investigating the sectarian murder of a Catholic postman in North Belfast yesterday.
The men were arrested this morning in connection with the killing of 20-year-old Daniel McColgan. Mr McColgan was shot dead yesterday as he arrived for work at a sorting office in the heart of the Loyalist Rathcoole estate on the northern outskirts of Belfast.
The North's Chief Constable said that the recent upsurge of sectarian violence was "barbaric". Speaking in a BBC interview, Sir Ronnie Flanagan said Mr McColgan's death was "dreadful" and "an appalling, cowardly murder".
Mr McColgan's killing has been claimed by the Ulster Defence Association.
The grieving girlfriend of the murdered man today said she and his family had been "deeply shocked and disturbed" by the killing.
Lindsey Milliken, mother of Mr McColgan's one-year-old daughter, said: "We want no retaliation. We only ask `why Daniel?`'" She added: "You couldn't ask for a better boyfriend or father."
Meanwhile, security sources say that the threats from the Red Hand Defenders against Catholic postal workers and Catholic schools in North Belfast may be hoaxes. Police are nevertheless treating them seriously and security will be stepped up tomorrow when schools re-open.
The Bishop of Down and Connor said that the threats were reprehensible and must be withdrawn. Dr Patrick Walsh said that they were against the whole fabric of society. Visiting Ardoyne this morning, he also condemned the "premeditated callous sectarian murder" of Mr McColgan.
Postal collections and deliveries in the city have been temporarily suspended as a mark of respect for their colleague. A Royal Mail spokesman said there was great fear among their staff.
After several nights of street disorder in North Belfast, the area was relatively calm last night. Extra police have been drafted in to patrol the district.
Police say that there has also been evidence of violence on the Republican side. They put on display a find of arms and explosives made in the New Lodge area of North Belfast, which they say was linked to the INLA. It included an anti-personnel mine and four pipe bombs.
