The daughter of a community worker murdered in Belfast said he was praying with a local pastor when he was attacked.

Ian Ogle, 45, died after being set upon by a group of men in Cluan Place, near a busy arterial route in the east of the city, at around 9pm on Sunday.

Police have described the level of violence used against the father-of-two as “barbaric”.

Ian Ogle death
Floral tributes left near at the scene in east Belfast where community worker Ian Ogle was murdered on Sunday night (Rebecca Black/PA)

His daughter Toni Johnston said the family were “living in fear” of people who she said claimed to represent the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF).

She also revealed that her brother and father had been ordered come forward to receive a “punishment attack” following an incident at a bar.

Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland mete out dozens of so-called punishment attacks every year against members of their own community.

These can involve physical attacks with sledge hammers, knuckle dusters or sewer rods, or being shot in the knees and/or elbows.

Ian Ogle death
Floral tributes left near at the scene (Rebecca Black/PA)

“My daddy and my brother were ordered to go for punishment by appointment, my daddy said no, we’ve done nothing wrong, we were attacked,” Ms Johnston told BBC Northern Ireland.

“Then the intimidation, the harassment, they were terrorising us.

“My daddy was living in fear they were going to kill my brother, my daddy continuously said to my mum, ‘they better not get my Ryan, they better get me before they get my kids’, and then they did.”

In a statement issued to the Irish News newspaper, the east Belfast UVF “wholeheartedly condemned” the murder.

UVF mural
A UVF mural in Inverwood Court, east Belfast (PA)

It said: “Whoever did it did not do it in the name of loyalism or the UVF.”

However, Ms Johnston said that statement is an “insult”.

She said she is not blaming the organisation as a whole, but claimed those responsible were using the name of the UVF, and that the UVF had been protecting them.

Ian Ogle death
(Rebecca Black/PA)

Earlier on Tuesday, Detective Chief Inspector Peter McKenna described the level of violence used against Mr Ogle as “barbaric”, adding: “It is quite frankly repulsive that they felt it was acceptable.

“There is no place for this inhumane behaviour in our communities and I would appeal for local people to come forward with any information they have so we can remove this intimidation and violence from our streets.”

He also revealed that police inquiries have “progressed significantly”.

In a statement, he said a number of arrests have been made and one person remains in custody.

Ian Ogle
Up to 70 floral tributes have been left (Rebecca Black/PA)

Mr McKenna also released fresh information as he made a renewed appeal for witnesses.

“I now know that the people involved in killing Ian ran from Cluan Place to the Templemore Avenue area where they got into a black Seat Leon car, registration number JGZ 7406,” he said.

“This vehicle then travelled to Pitt Place and I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the car travelling in this area, or who saw the people in it, either before or after the murder.

“I’m interested in the movements of the car specifically between 9.15pm and 10pm.

“I would also like anyone driving in the area who may have dashcam footage to contact police.

“I am still particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a group of people running in this area.

“Anyone with any information should contact detectives on 101 quoting reference number 1303 of 27/1/19.”

Ian Ogle
A handwritten note on one bouquet (Rebecca Black/PA)

Officers remained at the cordoned-off scene on Tuesday.

Up to 70 floral tributes, along with Everton FC and Rangers FC flags and scarfs, were left at the railings close to where Mr Ogle was attacked.

Some of the messages expressed anger at the incident, while others spoke of heartbreak at the death of a man they described as a “true gentleman”.

Ian Ogle death
Floral tributes left near at the scene in east Belfast where community worker Ian Ogle was murdered on Sunday night (Rebecca Black/PA)

A fundraising page set up to help Mr Ogle’s family pay for his funeral had raised more than £7,000 by Tuesday afternoon.