Two arrested over murder of Belfast father-of-five

Two men were arrested today in connection with the murder of a father-of-five in west Belfast as he collected his children for…

Two men were arrested today in connection with the murder of a father-of-five in west Belfast as he collected his children for a weekend away.

Gerard Devlin was beaten and stabbed by up to six men after they knocked the door of his partner's home in Whitecliff Parade, Ballymurphy and asked for him.

It is understood the killing of the 39-year-old was the culmination of a bitter six-year-long feud between two families.

A spokesman for the PSNI said the two men were being detained on suspicion of murder.

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And he added that inquiries were continuing into other possible suspects who may have been involved in the brutal attack.

It is understood a resolution to the family dispute - which involved three men leaving the community - had only been reached days ago.

One of those men was Mr Devlin, who had been attacked a number of times in the past. He only returned to his partner's home in Ballymurphy yesterday to pick up his children for the weekend.

It is not known how the feud started but it has become increasingly violent in recent years and weapons, including a gun, have been used.

Alex Attwood, SDLP Assembly Member for west Belfast, said the family should be allowed to grieve.

"This was a very tragic incident. The community very much hopes that the situation will calm and not escalate," Mr Attwood said.

"There have been tensions over a considerable period of time and there were a number of interventions in respect of the dispute. The family should be allowed now to grieve."

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out later today.

It is understood there is no suggestion of paramilitary involvement in the murder.