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A 41-year-old man who has died in hospital weeks after being assaulted in south Belfast in January was an off-duty police officer.

Police have started a murder investigation after the death of Colin Prime on Tuesday.

Three men were arrested in connection with the assault and remain on bail.

Police said that Mr Prime's occupation had no bearing on the attack, which took place on the Malone Road at its junction with Eglantine Avenue.

The victim was waiting for a lift in the car park beside licensed premises when the attack happened between 03:00 GMT and 03:30 on 29 January.

The incident was first reported to police two weeks later.

Mr Prime was a father of two and was well-known in Banbridge.

Ulster Unionist Party councillor Jill Macauley said her husband played rugby with Mr Prime for many years at Banbridge Rugby Club.

"He was a fun and kind character who was very well respected, not only in the club but certainly in the local Banbridge community," she said.

The rugby club paid tribute to him in a post on its Facebook page.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Chief Constable Simon Byrne said Mr Prime would be "sadly missed by all who knew him".

"My thoughts are with Colin's family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time," he said.

Det Insp Michelle Griffin said Mr Prime's family had "been left bereft" by his death.

She appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.

"We know that this area would have been relatively busy with vehicles at the time, particularly taxi drivers," she said.

"[We] would appeal to anyone who may have been in the vicinity to check their dashcam for relevant footage."