TENSIONS were growing last night in Portadown, Co Armagh, following the death of a young Catholic who was brutally beaten by loyalists 12 days ago.
Political and community leaders have appealed to nationalists to remain calm.
Mr Robert Hamill (25) from the Obins Street area, was attacked in the early hours of April 27th after leaving a function in St Patrick's Hall in the town.
He suffered a fractured skull and was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he died yesterday.
His cousin, who declined to be named, said Mr Hamill and two friends had been surrounded by a group of 30 loyalists who "danced on his head" and shouted "die you Fenian bastard".
The situation was already tense as fears increased of another standoff in Drumcree this July between Orangemen, the RUC, and nationalist residents.
A Catholic taxi driver from Lurgan, Mr Michael McGoldrick, was shot dead during the Drumcree stand off last year.
Friends of Mr Hamill have accused the RUC of failing to stop the fatal attack. They called for the suspension of police officers who, they claimed, looked on and did nothing.
Speaking last night, the RUC assistant commissioner, Mr Freddie Hall, extended his sympathy to Mr Hamill's family and assured them the police would "be unrelenting in the search for the culprits".
Replying to claims that the RUC had not intervened a spokesman said they had reacted as "speedily as possible to the situation and were attacked by the crowd themselves".
However, the Hamill family's solicitor demanded a full public inquiry into the incident. Friends said they were devastated by the death. A local SDLP representative, Ms Brid Rodgers, said Mr Hamill's death was totally unnecessary.
"It is the product of the vicious cycle of sectarian hatred which is poisoning our community. The police must act decisively to apprehend and charge those responsible for the savage attack which has resulted in the death of a young innocent Catholic."
Ms Rodgers said the public confidence in the security forces will be undermined unless quick action is taken.
"I will be contacting the Chief Constable to make him aware of the deep disquiet in the community," she said.
A spokesman for the Garvaghy Road residents coalition expressed their sympathy to Mr Hamill's family.
"We know Robert's parents are devastated at the death of their young son. Our hearts go out to the whole family."
The spokesman said it was now incumbent on all sections of the community in Portadown to come together and reduce tension.