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Young father killed after being "set upon" by group in late night attack

Five people have been arrested over the “vicious” killing of Christopher Meli in the early hours of Saturday morning.

POLICE IN THE North say a young man killed in Belfast in the early hours of Saturday morning was subjected to “a sustained and vicious” assault.

20-year-old Christopher Meli from Sliebh Dubh Lane in west Belfast was attacked and killed some time between midnight and 1am.

Five people in total have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Two 18-year-old men and a 16-year-old male youth were detained on Saturday and remain in custody.

Another two teenagers, aged 17 and 18, were arrested in connection with the murder yesterday afternoon.

All five suspects are still being interviewed.

“Christopher was the father of a two year old boy,” Detective Chief Inspector Richard Campbell, who is heading up the investigation, said in a statement tonight.

“He is survived by his mother, father and four younger brothers.

The sympathies and condolences of the Police Service are with the entire family circle at this very difficult time.

His death, Campbell said, “has caused devastation to his family and shocked the wider community”.

125 Christopher Meli PSNI PSNI

Timeline

Detective Chief Inspector Campbell said investigators were starting to put together a timeline of what happened in the lead-up to the attack, based on witness statements.

“At this stage I believe that Christopher was one of a group of four people, when he was set upon by a number of individuals from a much larger group.

“There appears to have been an initial incident on the Stewartstown Road before the attack on Christopher in an area known locally as Doc’s Lane.

“Christopher became separated from his friends and he was fatally assaulted at the location where his body was found, in Doc’s Lane.

“Some of those people who were in that larger group may not have been involved in the attack on Christopher, nor may they have anticipated the outcome of the attack.

“Police are working to establish exactly what happened and who was involved.”

‘A matter of time’

He said it was “only a matter of time” before detectives identify everyone who was there, adding:

“I am appealing for those people to come forward now and co-operate with this investigation by telling police what they saw.

“Come to us before we come to you.

Anyone who was involved in the attack on Christopher should understand that they will be identified and it is in their interests to come forward now, voluntarily and with a solicitor if necessary, so that their role can be properly established.

“The response and support from the local community, from people of all ages, has been very positive.”

Anyone with information is being asked to call the PSNI on the non-emergency number ’101′.

Read: Teacher who claimed he was stabbed by man citing Isis invented story

Read: Heroin deaths on the rise in Ireland for the first time in four years 

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11 Comments
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    Mute Erin Smith
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:05 AM

    Hard to believe its been a year. This story struck such a chord with me; I think it’s because every woman has experienced that feeling while walking alone that someone talking to you is dodgy. I cannot begin to imagine the sheer terror if you realised you were right.
    May she be at rest now and her poor husband and family find some peace x

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    Mute Andrew Dunne
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 8:37 AM

    RIP x

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    Mute micheal285
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:14 AM

    I hope they’ve thrown away the key : RIP

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    Mute Tiff O'Rourke
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:35 AM

    Unfortunately he has appealed his sentence.

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    Mute Helena McGee
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 9:57 AM

    I hope he rots

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    Mute Michelle Mc Loughney
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 11:20 AM

    Can’t believe it’s been a year already. Glad the messages and support has helped her husband, family and friends.

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    Mute jack arse
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 12:38 PM

    That animal should have been put down

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    Mute Maggie Cullagh
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 12:45 PM

    Seeing his pics makes my skin crawl, she seemed like a real friendly type girl, hope da husband is doing ok .

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    Mute Jack Daniels
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:10 PM

    Sad ! But i also remember a woman being beaten to death and put in the boot of a car by a gang of men who then set fire to it roughly around the same time . Let us not forget all victims .

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    Mute Jack Daniels
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    Sep 23rd 2013, 4:10 PM

    Up the country.

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