Carrick murder victim suffered ‘blunt force trauma’

Police say the man murdered in Carrickfergus at the weekend suffered blunt force trauma that they believe resulted in his death.

Glen Quinn, 47, was found dead in his ground floor flat at Ashleigh Park in the Woodburn area of the Co Antrim town on Saturday.

It is understood he had only moved into the area a few weeks ago, against the advice of friends.

“A friend of Glen’s reported a concern for his safety on Saturday,” PSNI Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said.

“Police officers responded and forced entry to the home where they found Glen's body.

“We now know he was the victim of an attack, sustaining blunt force trauma that I believe resulted in his death.”

A close friend told UTV he had received a call from Mr Quinn 24 hours before his death, saying he had been beaten up by a gang who came to his home with baseball bats and a metal bar.

Murder victim Glen Quinn, who was found dead in his home in Carrickfergus. Credit: Pacemaker

DS Murphy added: “We know that Glen was assaulted on 29 December and, while he wasn’t badly injured, he was left frightened by the incident.

“We are working to establish if there is any link between that assault and Glen’s subsequent murder.”

There has been speculation that the South East Antrim UDA were involved in the killing.

DM Murphy said police were aware of “rumours circulating” regarding paramilitary involvement.

“In this type of investigation, rumour and speculation are unhelpful,” he said.

“They have the possibility to raise tensions and put others at risk.

“We want to carry out a sound investigation, not confused by rumour or gossip, and I would encourage people to speak to us directly and tell us what they know so we can establish what the facts are.”

Three people arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Investigations are continuing and police say they still particularly want to speak to:

  • anyone in contact with Glen Quinn since Christmas Day and to whom he had revealed any concerns

  • anyone who might be able to shed light on the motive for Glen’s murder or those responsible for it

  • anyone who was in Ashleigh Park on Friday 3 January, from midday until 10pm, who witnessed anything or caught footage on dash-cam or mobile phone

  • anyone who witnessed the assault on Glen Quinn on 29 December

Our correspondent Sharon O'Neill has been following the story: