A second man is expected before magistrates in Belfast today to face a murder charge following the death of a man at a hostel for the homeless.
The body of Mr Eric Atkins (41) was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday at the Lee Hestia hostel on Brunswick Street in the city centre. He is understood to have stayed at the centre for a number of nights before his death. The man, a former British soldier, was found dead after what is thought to have been a dispute. Initial reports suggested he died after a vicious beating. Three men were arrested and questioned by police after the discovery of the body.
After today's court appearance, two will have been charged while the third is still facing police questions. The pair facing charges are aged 39 and 35. The hostel is the only shelter for the homeless in Belfast which permits residents to take drink onto the premises. The Lee Hestia Association, which runs the shelter, is conducting its own inquiry into the incident. The funeral of Mr Atkins is due to take place today.
Police in Belfast are also investigating an attack on a 53-year-old woman in the south of the city on Saturday evening. The woman was sitting in a four-wheel drive vehicle in the Finaghy area while her husband was in a shop when she was approached by two youths.
One opened the door of the vehicle, but the woman managed to close and lock it. A youth then smashed the window with a hammer and struck the woman before forcing her from the car. Two others who tried to intervene were also threatened.
The youths then took the vehicle and were last seen driving towards Andersonstown in nearby west Belfast. The woman suffered cuts and bruising and was treated for shock.