Eight men were due in court today charged in connection with the sectarian murder of Catholic community worker Kevin McDaid and attempted murder of Damien Fleming.

The men, aged between 18 and 50, were due to appear before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court charged with murder, attempted murder and various assaults.

A 47-year-old man was also due to be charged with affray. A PSNI spokeswoman said a 31-year-old man was released on bail pending further inquiries.

Mr McDaid was beaten to death on his doorstep by a loyalist mob in Coleraine on Sunday after Rangers won the Scottish League title. His wife Evelyn was also attacked during serious disturbances in the area.

Damien Fleming (46), remains in a critical condition in hospital after he was attacked close to where Mr McDaid was murdered.

Just days after his father was killed Mr McDaid’s son Ryan was told by police that his life is now under threat. The 22-year-old told the Telegraph he would not be intimidated by the loyalist thugs who threatened to kill him.

“They can’t do more to me after taking my dad away. I am not going to be intimidated by them.”

Fears of further violence have eased following a decision to move a parade away from the area affected by disturbances on Sunday.

The Pride of the Bann parade had been due to pass close to the entrance of the Heights estate in Coleraine. However, representatives confirmed that marchers will not cross the bridge to the Waterside.

A spokesman said: “Pride of the Bann Flute Band Coleraine, hosts to Friday evening’s parade in the town, distance themselves from the political wrangling following the tragic incident in the Heights area last weekend.”

Parish priest Father Charles Keeney said the band had made the right decision.

“I'm delighted that they've taken that decision – we all have to be sensitive to the |feelings of people that have been bereaved and who are saddened in such a way,” he said.

The Parades Commission has said it is satisfied with the band's decision to shorten its march near the scene.

“I think it was probably |inevitable something had to be done about the parade, because there was no question I think of the parade going the way in which it had originally been filed for,” the commission's Roger Poole said.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has called in the Police Ombudsman to investigate claims that his officers did not do enough to prevent the fatal attack.