DETECTIVES have released unconditionally two men arrested over the murder of Brian McIlhagga last week.

The 42-year-old was killed by a masked gang at his girlfriend’s house in Riverview Park, Ballymoney shortly before 10.30 pm on Monday.

The father-of-five, from Ballymena, had been viciously beaten and shot once in the leg. He died from his injuries.

A 22-year-old man and a 31-year-old man were freed from police custody on Saturday.

Police have yet to say what the motive was for the murder.

But sources in north Antrim claim the UDA in Coleraine carried out the killing