DETECTIVES from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team have been granted additional time to question two people over the murder of Eddie Girvan.

A 29-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man were arrested in connection with Mr Girvan’s murder in Greenisland.

Detectives can now quiz them for a further 36 hours after a judge granted the extension to detention.

A 24-year-old man also arrested earlier this week is still in custody.

Mr Girvan was found at his Greenisland home by police investigating an incident involving his car in Belfast.

After forcing entry, officers found the 62-year-old retired plumber tied to a chair and stabbed through the chest.

Seasoned detectives described his murder as both “brutal” and “horrific”.

The senior officer leading the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector John McVea, said: “A post mortem examination will take place to confirm the exact cause of Mr Girvan’s death however I can confirm that, at this time, we are treating his death as murder.

“An incident such as this is unusual for a community like Greenisland and I am appealing to local people for their assistance.

“Detectives are making house to house enquiries because we need to speak to those local people who knew Eddie Girvan and saw him in the past few days.

“I also want to hear from anyone who saw or heard any activity at Mr Girvan’s home at 162 Station Road over the past weekend until yesterday morning, Monday, January 18, around 7am.

“My final appeal point is about Eddie Girvan’s car, a silver Hyundai Sonata, registration number MKZ 9818.

“I need to hear from anyone who saw this silver car any time over the weekend either in Greenisland or Belfast until it was recovered in the Verner Street area of the city in the early hours of this morning.

“We know it was spotted being driven dangerously along the motorway between Rathcoole and Belfast yesterday.

“This is a shocking crime and our sympathies today are with Mr Girvan’s family and friends.

“It is too early to say why Mr Girvan was killed.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at Seapark on the non-emergency number 101.

“Alternatively, anyone who does not want to provide their details can phone the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Detectives appeal for information over murdered Eddie Girvan’s Hyundai Sonata car