Sinn Féin has welcomed the decision by the Police Ombudsman, Mrs Nuala O'Loan, to investigate events surrounding the death of a loyalist believed to have had information on the murder of Catholic postal worker Mr Daniel McColgan.
The body of Mr Stephen McCullough (39) was found at the bottom of Cavehill in north Belfast last Wednesday. Loyalist sources said he was a member of the UDA. It was believed that Mr McCullough had fallen from the top of the hill. However, suspicions have now arisen about his death. There are reports that hours before he died he approached a member of the Royal Irish Regiment and offered to provide information about Mr McColgan's murder.
It is understood the RIR soldier contacted the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Mr McCullough was later arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. He left the police station when the case was processed and was found dead on Cavehill.
Mr McCullough, an engineering worker, is believed to have been based in Rathcoole. Police said the case had been referred to the Ombudsman as a "matter of routine". A spokesman said the force was unable to comment further because the Ombudsman's office had been called in.
Immediately after the discovery of Mr McCullough's body, police said a crime was not suspected. Sinn Féin Assembly member, Mr Gerry Kelly, said: "The revelation that UDA member Stephen McCullough was found dead on Cavehill only hours after making an offer to a member of the RIR to supply information to the RUC in relation to the killing of Daniel McColgan raises a number of serious questions. Not least is why the RUC failed to act on the offer of information from a UDA member about the killing. It is also extremely worrying that this man ended up dead only hours after offering this information."
Meanwhile, a man has been treated for cuts to his face after a shooting incident at a bar in Ardglass, Co Down, early on Sunday. Two men wearing balaclavas entered the Harbour Bar on Quay Street and fired two shots into the ceiling.