Police investigating the murder of a man at a loyalist bonfire on Wednesday morning say they want to speak to as many as 300 people who may have been present. Officers believe that dozens of people must have witnessed the killing of Mr Andrew Cairns (22) in Larne, Co Antrim.
As many as 12 people were involved and reports say investigating officers believe that none of the men who beat Mr Cairns before the shooting had been wearing masks or had done anything to conceal their identities.
Loyalist sources maintain that the police and paramilitaries already know the identities of the killers of Mr Cairns, who they say was "associated" with the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force. "Both the UVF and the RUC know who they are. They have disappeared and are probably hoping that the RUC find them first", one said.
There was little violence in Northern Ireland yesterday, but figures released by the RUC for the month of July up to 6 a.m. on Wednesday record 329 attacks on the security forces, injuring 81 police officers and six soldiers.
A total of 305 petrol-bombing incidents were reported and 1,000 petrol-bombs were recovered. Ninety-five homes, 75 commercial or public premises and 404 cars were damaged and 105 vehicles were hijacked. The security forces fired 19 plastic bullets, 217 people were arrested and 87 have been charged.
Scorch damage was caused to an 18th-century Catholic church on the outskirts of Belfast in an arson attack early yesterday morning. A tyre was placed against the door of St Patrick's Church at Derriaghy and set on fire.