Man in court on murder charge

A 42-year-old man is to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court today charged with the murder of William McClatchey, originally …

A 42-year-old man is to appear at Belfast Magistrates' Court today charged with the murder of William McClatchey, originally from Taughmonagh, south Belfast, whose dismembered body was discovered in east Belfast on Monday evening.

The PSNI yesterday charged the man with the murder of Mr McClatchey (34), an unemployed father of two who returned to Belfast from England during the summer.

Mr McClatchey is understood to have been drinking with a friend while watching a Premiership soccer game on Sunday afternoon, hours before he was attacked.

The PSNI arrested a man on Monday evening after suspicious activity was observed at an apartment complex in the Mount area of east Belfast.

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Mr McClatchey's remains were discovered in plastic bags in two wheelie bins in a courtyard of the complex. Initially police had not been in a position to say whether the victim was male or female.

Police are anxious to contact a man who may have seen what happened.

"We believe this man has important information which will assist our inquiries," a PSNI spokesman said.

The area around the death scene was cordoned off as forensic experts carried out a detailed examination.

People living in the area were also questioned to see if they could assist the police.

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times