Police chief calls on community to continue to work for peace

Chief Inspector Nicky Thompson was speaking to The Coleraine Times just days before the first anniversary of the murder of Catholic man Kevin McDaid, who was beaten to death by a loyalist mob on May 24 last year.

Prayers were said for the 49-year-old father-of-four at an anniversary Mass on Sunday.

Members and friends of the McDaid family are not expected to be in the country this weekend and Ch Insp Thompson says that, in line with current police policy, no anti-social behaviour will be tolerated.

He said: "We have expended a lot of time and effort to improve things in the Heights community over the past year and as a result things have been a lot quieter.

"We are in a much better place than we were a year ago due to a lot of hard work.

"Police are prepared to work with anybody who wishes to make a difference and improve community safety in the Heights."

Eleven people have been charged in connection with the murder of Mr McDaid and the attempted murder of Damian Fleming, who was left in a coma following a brutal assault.

Mr McDaid was beaten to death when violence erupted in the Heights area, allegedly over the erection of Irish tricolour flags.

It has been claimed a crowd of loyalists left a local bar and headed for the Heights where trouble flared.

Amid heightened tensions and alleged intimidation surrounding the murder, prosecutors have disclosed that 25 people were under death threat.

Ch Insp Thompson said police policy was to enforce the rule of law in the area, as well as work at grassroots level to improve community relations.

"In terms of law enforcement our aim has been to make sure the community is protected by bringing those engaged in anti-social behaviour before the courts.

"Those convicted are subject to ASBO's, other behavioural orders or have strict bail conditions imposed upon them. It's a case of making the law work for the good of the community."

Earlier this month a 67-year-old man and his 12-year-old grandson were among five people attacked in a sectarian incident on Killowen Street after they had attended a Freeman Memorial Band parade.