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News Letter, Friday,

January 13, 2012

27

Friday, January 13, 2012

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Vicious murder of farmers son

BY BrYan GraY and pa
newsdesk@newsletter.co.uk

More homes repossessed

THE number of people facing losing their homes in Northern Ireland has more than doubled in the last five years, it was revealed yesterday. With average prices falling from an all-time high of 234,000 in 2007 to 113,000 last year, levels of repossession are far higher than anywhere else in the UK, according to Housing Rights Service. Anxious homeowners struggling to pay mortgages and who contacted the independent advice charity doubled in the last three months and court service statistics disclosed there has been a 104 per cent increase in those under threat of having to give up their houses. Turn to page 12

A FATHER and two sons were being quizzed by police last night after a man was found shot dead in Comber the victim of what is understood to be a criminal feud. The body of Philip Strickland, 36, was discovered by members of the public inside his vehicle on the Ballydrain Road, close to the Co Down town, on Wednesday evening. Mr Strickland was originally from the Comber area but had been living in east Belfast prior to his death. He had been blasted repeatedly with a shotgun and was so badly injured that it is not yet known exactly how many times he was shot. The three suspects aged 54, 26 and 25 were being quizzed by detectives at Antrim PSNI station last night after being arrested in the Comber area yesterday. Members of the public who made the gruesome discovery at around 9pm on Wednesday attempted to resuscitate the badly injured Mr Strickland, but he was declared dead in hospital a short time later. His killers botched an attempt to set the car alight before fleeing from the scene. It is understood a number of vehicles made off along the Ballydrain Road in the direction of Lisbane village after the incident. See pages 4 & 5

657 sectarian crimes: police

DETECTION rates for sectarianism in Northern Ireland are falling below target with hundreds of crimes being committed, police said. Attacks on Orange halls, churches and GAA premises have been recorded. Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie said there have been 657 sectarian crimes this financial year. Turn to page 12

Insecurity in border areas

Forensic experts at the scene after philip Strickland was found shot dead in his car on the Ballydrain road

pICTUrE: Jonathan porter/presseye

BORDER Catholics have been urged to consider ways in which they might help their Protestant neighbours feel less insecure. The comments came after decisions were made to close two state primary schools in south Armagh that are predominantly attended by Protestant children and are closing due to falling numbers. See page 13

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