POLICE IN  NORTHERN Ireland have arrested a 23-year-old woman in connection with the suspected murder of a man in Belfast in December 2013.

Basil McAfee’s body was discovered in the living room of his home with him having been the victim of vicious attack involving an axe and a knife.

The 50-year-old was last seen on the evening of 19 December.

Speaking yesterday afternoon, Detective Chief Inspector John McVea said that the subject was being detained and questioned at a Belfast police station.

This is the sixth arrest in the investigation so far. 

In a statement last December, Chief Inspector McVea renewed the police service’s appeal for individuals to come forward with any information they might have in connection to the case, saying, “It is a year since Basil died and his death has slipped somewhat from public conciousness. But it remains an enduring heartache for his family – his mother, siblings and his grown-up children.”

They are about to face a second Christmas without Basil and without knowing why this happened to him and who is responsible.

At the time of the incident CCTV footage of Basil in an off-licence near his home prior to the attack – as well as a photo of Basil’s living room where he was killed – were issued by police as part of the investigation.

Detectives at Seapark police complex can be contacted on the non-emergency number 101 or alternatively people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read: Man arrested over murder of 50-year-old man in Belfast

Also: This man was brutally murdered on this day last year – his killer is still at large