RUC murder squad detectives were today questioning three men about the death of a former keeper of archaeology at the Ulster Museum.
Mr Laurence Flanagan (68) was found dead with head and face injuries after being tied up during a break-in at his south Belfast home.
The three were also being questioned about a series of robberies targeting elderly people in the city.
It is believed Mr Flanagan may have been dead a number of days before police found his body yesterday at the bottom of a flight of stairs.
Someone had forced entry through the back of his house at South Parade off the Ormeau Road.
Mr Flanagan, a widower with three daughters, was retired.He had been on the staff at the Ulster Museum for about 40 years and had written several books on local history.
PA