The RUC was last night investigating the death of a man, believed to be in his 30s, in the Shankill area of Belfast. The body was discovered shortly after 9 p.m. An RUC spokesman said a police pathologist had been called to the scene to ascertain cause of death.
The dead man, named locally as Stephen McKeag, was found face down in his home at Florence Court, off the Crumlin Road, with bruising to his face and body. The chairman of the Ulster Democratic Party, who represents the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), Mr John White, confirmed that the dead man had been a leading loyalist. He said the death could be linked to the loyalist feud between the UDA and the Ulster Volunteer Force but that it would be premature to speculate.
Mr White said: "The victim would support the UDA in the Lower Shankill, but I hope his death is not linked to the feud and I would appeal to people to remain calm."
The body was discovered after a cross-bow bolt was seen sticking out of a window in Mr McKeag's home, Mr White said.
"He was found lying face down and had bruising to the face and arms, but there was no sign of a cross-bow.
"I would hope this has nothing to do with the feud. We have had three days of calm and I would hope that an agreement to end the feud could be made."