Police in the North are appealing for information after a father of five was shot dead by a masked gang in Co Antrim last night.

The PSNI says 42 year old Brian McIlhagga suffered a "brutal and sustained" assault in the front garden of a house in Ballymoney just before half past ten.

A 32-year-old woman was battered and forced to lie on the kitchen floor while the shooting took place, and four children under the age of 13 were also in the house.

A motive has yet to be established, but the PSNI hasn't ruled out the involvement of paramilitaries.