The Real IRA last night claimed responsibility for murdering a man in Derry.
The claim came 24 hours after the body Ciaran Doherty (31) was found dumped on the roadside outside Derry City. The father of a two-year-old girl, was stripped, tied up and shot in a remote lane.
Detectives investigating the killing said the murdered man, who was shot in the head, was soon to get married to his long-term partner.
Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness pledged to stand up to groups wedded to violence and said they would show a united front against the killers.
“We are going to stand up to the people who carry out these kind of activities," Mr Robinson said. “Where they offer fear we will offer hope.”
Mr McGuinness said those responsible for the murder represent the past. "We represent the future. We represent the new way forward. And we are absolutely dedicated and determined to stand united against the activities of these people," he said. “I think those people who were responsible for (this) dirty deed need to come forward and give an explanation to the citizens as to why they are continuing with these stupid and futile acts.”
The victim lived in the Brandywell area overlooking Lough Foyle and was due to be married within three months.
His body was found by a member of the public at around 10.30pm on the Braehead Road close to the border with Co Donegal and 400m off the main Letterkenny Road.
Police said a motive had yet to be established for the killing. Detectives said Mr Doherty was known to police but said this could never excuse his murder.
In November 2009 Mr Doherty gave an interview to the Derry Journal newspaper in which he claimed he had been approached by the security service, MI5.
According to the paper, he was trying to open a cigarette manufacturing company but had been turned down by Revenue and Customs when he was approached by an agent for MI5. He had also publicly denied any link to a suspected dissident-related drug find in Co Donegal.
PA