The family of murder victim Kevin McDaid are to make a formal complaint to the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.
In a statement released through their solicitors this morning the family said they are concerned they were not offered proper protection from the police on the night of the murder in Coleraine, Co Derry, last Sunday.
The statement reads: “The family wish to make it clear that they are concerned that the PSNI were involved in negotiations with a number of persons perceived to be from the Loyalist community on Sunday the 24th of May 2009.
“They are concerned regarding the nature of these negotiations and the attendant claim that threats were made by individuals from this background to police that violence would ensue unless certain demands made by them were met.
“It is a fundamental tenet of a civilised society that individuals such as these should not dictate the terms of law and order.
“We are further concerned that given the prior knowledge of the threat, neither we and nor our neighbours were not properly protected by police.
“We want the community to support the police, but equally police must also support the community.”
Father of four, Mr McDaid (49), was attacked and killed by a loyalist mob in near his home last Sunday night. The mob also attacked his wife, a pregnant neighbour and later left Damien Fleming (46) critically injured in hospital.
The family said given Mr Fleming’s condition and a death threat to Mr McDaid’s son tensions in the area “remain high”.
“Kevin lived helping others. 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,” they added.
The family also thanked the officers who came to Mr McDaid’s aid and praised the efforts of hospital staff to help the injured.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness has today accused the UDA of intimidating witnesses to the murder of Mr McDaid.
Speaking after he and First Minister Peter Robinson visited the McDaid and Fleming families in Coleraine, Mr McGuinness said he was made aware
of threats being made to people who supplied witness statements to the police, adding: “I am in no doubt that these threats emanate from the UDA."
