A 30-YEAR-OLD MAN has died in hospital days after he was assaulted in west Belfast, police have confirmed.

The victim, named as Carl Holland from the local area, suffered a serious head injury during an assault on Suffolk Road at around 9pm on Friday, 12 June.

He remained in a critical condition in hospital before his death.

PSNI Detective Inspector Collins said that Mr Holland was assaulted by a man who arrived at the scene by taxi, punched him and then left in the same vehicle.

“We can confirm that Carl Holland has sadly passed away, and our thoughts are, first and foremost, with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time,” Collins said.

Police believe a verbal altercation had taken place inside the premises earlier that evening and have appealed for witnesses or anyone with CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage to come forward.

A 20-year-old man arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent has been released on bail pending further enquiries. A 46-year-old man and a 44-year-old woman, who were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm, have also been released on bail.

Collins said detectives from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Holland’s death and urged anyone with information to contact police.