Three questioned in connection with top loyalist's murder

Police were questioning three men today in connection with the murder of a top loyalist in a packed shopping street.

Bobby Moffett, understood to be a member of the Red Hand Commando (RHC) terror group, was gunned down in Belfast’s Shankill Road in front of dozens of shocked bystanders.

Police arrested a 35-year-old man last night in connection with the killing.

Detectives were already questioning two men aged 25 and 31 who were both arrested earlier yesterday.

A fourth man, aged 49, arrested on Friday night, was released yesterday morning.

All the men were arrested in the Belfast area.

Moffett, 43, was shot a number of times in the face by two masked gunmen in an assassination blamed on renegade elements within the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) – a mainstream paramilitary group with historic ties to the RHCs.

It is understood Friday’s murder was linked to a personal dispute.

Police described the shooting as “a cold-blooded, ruthless killing”.