The family of murdered Catholic Kevin McDaid today made an official complaint to the Police Ombudsman claiming that the PSNI knew the loyalist mob was planning to move into the area but failed to act.

They 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.”

A PSNI spokeswoman today said it would be inappropriate for police to comment further on the issue as the Chief Constable has already referred the matter to the Police Ombudsman.

Mr McDaid, a father-of-four, died of a heart attack in front of his family after he was kicked and beaten near his home in Somerset Drive during serious disturbances on Sunday night.

His neighbour Damien Fleming is fighting for his life after he was also beaten by the mob.

In a statement released today the family said tensions remain extremely high in the area, but this is not what Kevin would have wanted.

“A further death threat has also been made against our family. This should not be the legacy of Kevin’s death. It is not what he would have wanted. Kevin lived helping others. His short life was spent trying to bridge the divide that exists in our community. His death at the hands of people who have nothing to offer our community should not be allowed to undo his life’s work.”

The family said they appreciate that Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde has referred the matter on to the Police Ombudsman and have called on all members of the community to assist the police investigation into Mr McDaid’s death and the attack on Mr Fleming.

“The people involved in this murderous attack and who entered Somerset Drive on Sunday night are not friends of any community.”

They added: “This is an extremely difficult time for our family. We have suffered the sudden and tragic loss of a husband and father. The anguish of Kevin’s loss has been heightened by the brutal nature of his death — murdered on his doorstep in front of his family.

“The police investigation into Kevin’s murder is at an early stage and we do not wish to prejudice that investigation by making any formal comment in relation to it. The family are grateful to members of the PSNI who attended to Kevin after this horrific assault and who attempted to administer CPR as he lay dying at our feet.”

In the statement, which was released through the family’s solicitor, the family said they now wish to be allowed to grieve in peace.

“This is an enormously difficult time and we would ask kindly that those wishes should be respected,” they said.

The family of Mr Fleming released the photograph of his battered face as he fights for life in the Royal Victoria Hospital which we have published on Page One today.

His brother Paul said surgeons have told them he has a 50% chance of pulling through, but that they do not know the extent of his brain injuries yet.