Two more arrested over sports ground murder

Police probing the murder of a man found battered to death at a sports ground in south Belfast have arrested two males in connection…

Police probing the murder of a man found battered to death at a sports ground in south Belfast have arrested two males in connection with the attacks.

Another man, arrested on yesterday in connection with the death of civil servant Ian Flanagan, 30, remains in custody, detectives said.

A fourth man, who was arrested on Monday, was released on last night pending further inquiries.

The body was found close to an area often used by homosexual men and officers leading the inquiry had urged members of the city's gay community to help.

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Mr Flanagan, from Keady in south Armagh, had been badly beaten about the head with a blunt instrument. His body was discovered at the bottom of a grass bank beside a hockey pitch, just yards from where he had parked his red BMW car.

Detectives earlier said they were looking for two men, dressed in sports clothing, who were seen at Barnett's Park where the body was found on Sunday morning.

Police also appealed for the driver of a grey and black jeep to come forward.

Detectives will also be reviewing previous assaults in the area and neighbouring Shaw's Bridge.

Gay rights campaigners believe Mr Flanagan, who had been living at Donegall Avenue in Belfast, may have been targeted by a gang who thought he was a homosexual.

PA