Three arrested after teenager beaten to death in Belfast

Three teenagers have been arrested as PSNI officers investigate the death in west Belfast of a young man in a violent attack.

Detectives from the Serious Crime Branch launched a murder inquiry after a body was found in the Glasvey Close area of Twinbrook during the early hours of Saturday morning.

It is understood the young man was beaten to death.

The senior investigating officer on the case, Det Chief Insp Gareth Talbot said: "We received a report at around 1am of a young man lying at Glasvey Close.

“After examination by ambulance staff the man was pronounced dead at the scene.”A number of injuries were noted on the body and as such, we are treating this death as murder.”

It is understood the victim is a teenager.

Sinn Féin MLA Jennifer McCann said: “I was shocked to hear that a teenager was found dead in the early hours of this morning in the Twinbrook area.

Appeal to public

Police are appealing to anyone who has any information or who witnessed any disturbances in the Stewartstown Road or Glasvey Close areas to get in touch.

Detectives are also investigating a serious assault on another young man who was in the company of the deceased.

He was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.

Police said three youths, two aged 18 and one aged 16, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder and are currently in police custody.

Mr Talbot said: “I would like to extend my sympathy to the family of this young man and thank the wider community for their support during our investigation to date.

“A postmortem will be carried out in due course, however we believe at this stage that he died from the injuries he received following this attack.”