Assistant Chief Constable Judith Gillespie has defended the actions of police officers in the hours before the murder of father-of-four Kevin McDaid.

ACC Gillespie said officers who attended the incident and tried in vain to save Mr McDaid’s life are devastated by the tragedy.

Police released a statement after it emerged the McDaid family has lodged a complaint with the Police Ombudsman claiming the PSNI knew the loyalist mob was planning to move into the area but failed to act.

She said: “We understand the devastation that this has caused the McDaid and Fleming families and the wider Coleraine community and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time.

“We agree entirely with the McDaid family that this murder should not have happened and we are doing everything in our power to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“It is vital that everyone continues to work to ensure such brutal sectarian attacks are confined to the past. We owe it to Kevin's memory to ensure this happens.

“Let me reassure you that we are doing everything to investigate the timeline of events that led to Kevin's death. We are fully aware of the concerns expressed by the family and a number of other people in the community and have asked the Police Ombudsman to carry out a full and independent inquiry.”

ACC Gillespie continued: “It would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific details of the circumstances leading to the murder, as people have been charged and PSNI are carrying out an investigation. However, I can reassure you that on May 24 my neighbourhood officers worked tirelessly to ease tensions in Coleraine ahead of a Scottish Premier League football match.

“Following the attack officers were quickly on the scene and attempted to save Mr McDaid's life by rendering mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, and also acted swiftly and courageously in coming to the aid of Mr Fleming.

“These officers are also devastated by the death of Kevin — a man they knew well through his positive work in the community — and by the serious attack on Damien.”

ACC Gillespie said that a team of 60 detectives are carrying out a very thorough and proactive investigation.

“To date, seven men have been charged with murder and attempted murder; one man has been charged with attempted murder; one man was charged with an affray,” she continued. “I would appeal for calm in the area. It is vital no-one does anything that could escalate tensions at tonight's parade or in the days to come.”

The McDaid family has claimed that on the day of Mr McDaid’s murder and the |vicious attack on Damien Fleming, a number of loyalists had warned police they were planning to enter the Heights estate area of Coleraine and that violence would ensue.

The family said they are concerned that “given the prior knowledge of the threat, neither we nor our neighbours were properly protected by police”.

They added: “We want the community to support the police, but equally police must also support the community.”

Mr McDaid died of a heart attack in front of his family after he was kicked and beaten near his home.