McDaid Family Say Police Failed To Protect Them From Sectarian Attack

Members of Mr McDaid's family have now lodged a complaint with the PSNI Ombudsman, saying they are concerned the police were involved in negotiations with loyalists on the day of the murder.

They say loyalists had threatened violence unless certain demands were met.

However, Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie claimed officers worked to ease tensions and came quickly to the aid of Mr McDaid.

The Catholic father-of-four was beaten to death in Coleraine on Sunday and his friend, Damian Fleming, badly injured.

Mr Fleming remains in a critical condition in a Belfast hospital.

The McDaid family said they were concerned loyalists had threatened violence unless certain demands were met.

Police confirmed that talks had been taking place between both communities, but that no-one would dictate terms to the police.

In a statement issued by their lawyers, the family said it was a "fundamental tenet of a civilised society that individuals such as these should not dictate the terms of law and order."

They said they were "further concerned that given the prior knowledge of the threat, neither we nor our neighbors were properly protected by the police.  We want the community to support the police, but equally police must also support the community."

Nine men have been charged with the murder and attempted murder of Mr McDaid.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said Mr McDaid had been involved in substantial talks which had been taking place between both communities as tensions built during the day.

"We run the Police Service of Northern Ireland, no one else. My officers will not be told what to do by anyone. No one dictates terms in terms of keeping the peace to the police service."

The McDaid family have made a formal complaint to the Police Ombudsman.

They said it had been an "extremely difficult time," and the "anguish of Kevin's loss has been heightened by the brutal nature of his death; murdered on his doorstep in front of his family."

They thanked all those who had offered their support and condolences, and said it had been a "source of enormous strength."

"We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of the Causeway Hospital for the sensitive and expert way in which they dealt with our beloved Kevin in the aftermath of the vicious and unprovoked attack which led to his death."

They also said they were "grateful to the members of the PSNI who attended to Kevin after this horrific assault and who attempted to administer CPR as he lay dying at our feet."

The family said tensions remained high in the area and appealed for calm.

"This should not be the legacy of Kevin's death. It is not what he would have wanted. Kevin lived helping others," they said in a statement.

"His short life was spent trying to bridge the divide that exists in our community.  His death at the hands of people who have nothing to offer our community should not be allowed to undo his life's work."