Two more questioned over father's bed murder

Two more people were arrested in the North tonight in connection with the murder of a father of two who was beaten to death as he lay in bed with his heavily pregnant wife.

John Mongan, 30, was attacked with a machete and hatchet after a gang kicked open the front door of the couple’s house in west Belfast on Thursday.

His wife Julia, 28, who was taken to hospital with a head wound, is due to give birth at any time.

It is understood the murder is linked to an escalating feud involving traveller families.

A 30-year-old man and a juvenile male were taken into police custody in the Glendale area of Derry tonight in connection with the killing.

Officers also conducted a number of searches and removed some items for forensic examination.

Five people have now been arrested.

Two men, aged 32 and 37, and a woman, 68, were taken into custody in Derry yesterday.

The woman has since been released pending further inquiries.