Frank McGreevy, the 51-year-old former IRA prisoner who was found by his son drenched in blood and badly beaten in west Belfast on Saturday, died yesterday from his injuries.
Mr McGreevy had been on a life-support machine since he was rushed to hospital after being discovered by his 15-year-old son in his flat in Ross Street. PSNI detectives, who have appealed for public assistance in catching and convicting his killers, have launched a murder inquiry.
A 20-year-old man who voluntarily handed himself into police custody at the weekend was still being questioned about the murder last night. Police said they are following a definite line of inquiry and that more than one person was involved in the beating of Mr McGreevy.
A pickaxe was recovered from the scene of the attack. Other implements, possibly including a baseball bat, were used by Mr McGreevy's assailants, according to the police who described the assault as brutal and dreadful.
Mr McGreevy may have been struck 60 times, they said. On Monday Sinn Féin and SDLP politicians discussed with police the growing problem of serious and violent anti-social crime in west Belfast. They called for a community-based approach to the problem.