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Kevin McDaid, 49, was attacked at around 9.30pm on Sunday evening in the Somerset Drive area of the town, a mainly-Catholic housing estate, following football matches involving Rangers and Celtic.

Another man, Damien Fleming, 46, was assaulted in Pates Lane and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Detective Chief Inspector Frankie Taylor confirmed the motive was sectarianism and said the victim was well-known and well-liked.

He said the father-of-four was a youth worker who worked closely with the police and had tried to bring both sides of the community together.

His wife Evelyn was also targeted and sustained bruising and cuts to the head.

On Monday morning, forensics experts in white boiler suits and purple gloves carried out a search for clues.

A Celtic scarf was tied on railings close to the scene of Mr McDaid's death.

Mr McDaid lived in a two-storey terrace house yards from where he was confronted.

It is understood he was looking for his son at the time.

Neighbours, including relatives of the injured man, who is critically ill in hospital, stood nearby.

Up to 30 people were involved in the incident, according to SDLP MLA John Dallat.

"This is the second time that this kind of lynching mob has been involved in Coleraine," he said.

Mr Dallat said last year's violence followed the building of republican bonfire which was lit prematurely by loyalists and people suffered injuries.

'A family man'

Neighbour Peter Neill said of Mr McDaid: "Kevin was a family man and he was loved by everybody.

"He never had any bitterness in him and he was attacked by scum.

"He was a gentleman. He was just the best big man you could have met."

Hazelbank Presbyterian Church minister Alan Johnston said that everyone was "truly stunned and shocked by the news".

"We condemn murder and violence of any kind. It does not belong in the society we live in."

The estate is known to house mainly Catholics and might have been singled out, he said.

"The issue seems to have been from the other side of the town rather than from within the community," he said.

"There had been quite a bit of drinking going on in the town after the Rangers match. We had seen people out drinking. All I can presume is that it spilled over and people came across the bridge."

Mr McDaid's son Ryan, 22, said: "My father was a well-known man. He never did anybody any harm.

"He was well-loved. He was a 100% father."

'Paramilitaries'

Mr Dallat said: "We need to outlaw these organisations and let the good people get on with peace building."

"It appears to me that such a large number of people coming from a different part of Coleraine was organised and my own belief is that loyalist paramilitaries are involved," he said.

"From my inquiries from very reliable sources as recently as last Friday I am satisfied that the Ulster Defence Association is still structured and still influencing events in Coleraine in a significant way.

"While there may have been some minor change in leadership, the organisation is intact, still led by the same personalities who have no intention of reforming themselves in any way and are essentially sectarian in their mindset," Mr Dallat added.

Rangers beat Dundee United 3-0 on Sunday to take the Scottish championship from Glasgow rivals Celtic.

DUP MP Gregory Campbell said there had been anti-social behaviour in the past and appealed for anybody with information to go to the police.

Sinn Fein deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also condemned the attacks.

"Despite the enormous progress we have made over the recent past, sectarian hatred continues to blight many areas and loyalist paramilitaries continue to orchestrate sectarian violence," he said.

"We need to see clear and unequivocal condemnation of this sectarian murder from the political leaders of unionism from across the spectrum."

He added: "Politicians must lead by example and, through a clear commitment to a future based on partnership and equality, demonstrate that sectarianism and bigotry have no place in our society."

Ulster Unionist leader Sir Reg Empey said: "The tragic events in Coleraine at the weekend remind us of how far we have come in recent years, but they also remind us of how far we still have to go."

Northern Ireland Security Minister Paul Goggins added his condemnation of the killing.

"I totally condemn the horrific murder of Kevin McDaid in Coleraine and I would appeal to the community to assist the police in bringing his killers to justice.

"I would appeal to the communities for calm, sectarianism has no place in Northern Ireland and those who carried out this vicious murder have no place in society."

© Press Association