Up to 30 people may have witnessed a man being beaten up before he was abandoned in front of oncoming traffic outside a soccer club in Northern Ireland, murder squad detectives revealed today.
Five men are being questioned about the death of Ronald Mackie (36) in Co Derry. Police are investigating any loyalist paramilitary involvement in the killing.
Mr Mackie, from Stirlingshire, Scotland, was attacked by a mob after a row flared during a disco at Tobermore United Football Club early on Saturday morning.
He had travelled to Northern Ireland to attend an earlier Orange Order parade two miles away in Maghera.
Police believe the gang involved beat him and then deliberately shoved him in front of a red car that ran him over.
The driver is believed to have stopped before taking off again, but police have urged him to come forward.
Police arrested the five men - all from the Tobermore and Castledawson areas - following a series of searches.
Officers also focused on suspicious activity at the King William III and Gortmore housing estates in Maghera.