MURDER VICTIM LAID TO REST
KILLERS WILL FACE GOD FOR WHAT THEY DID, SAYS PRIEST
A PRIEST at the funeral of a murder victim yesterday told mourners that the people who shot him dead will face judgment from God for their actions.
Raymond Johnston was killed in front of his partner Eileen Robinson and his 11-year-old stepdaughter last Tuesday night at their home at Glenbawn Avenue in Poleglass, west Belfast.
The 28-year-old was making pancakes for his family when the gunmen struck.
Dissident republicans have been blamed for the murder.
His funeral took place yesterday at the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass.
Dozens of mourners followed the cortege through the area.
The hearse was bedecked with floral tributes and an Irish tricolour bearing the insignia of Celtic FC was draped over Mr Johnston’s coffin.
Many of the mourners also wore the colours of the Glasgow football team.
During the funeral mass, Parish Priest Fr Aidan Keenan referred to those who carried out the murder.
He said: “Those who feel they have the right to be judge and jury will have to face God for what they have done.
“We are here to pray for the soul of Raymond Johnston — a loving son, a father, stepfather, fiance, brother, friend and neighbour.
“Death is very difficult to deal with at any time, but to deliberately shoot a fellow human being is unbelievable.
“We do not know why he was singled out and it is not up to us to speculate.
“We are here to pray for his soul and his family and friends,” he added
Fr Keenan described Mr Johnston as a “jack of all trades” who helped out with painting and decorating.
He added: “He was a lovable rogue who would have admitted that in the past he was no saint and had done things when he was younger that he regretted. But the Troubles had an effect on all our lives.” Mourners were told it was after meeting his fiancee Eileen Robinson that Mr Johnston settled down in Glenbawn Avenue.
Fr Keenan said: “He was surrounded by wonderful friends and neighbours.
“Out of every tragedy comes goodness. Raymond brought everyone together in grief.
“We must pray that he is the last to die in such a tragic way and that we find a way back to peace.
“Our true future lies in the
happiness of heaven. Our life on earth is very short.”
After requiem mass, Mr Johnston’s remains were laid
to rest in Crumlin Cemetery in Co Antrim, where he originally came from.
He is survived by his parents
Bernie and Noel, partner Eileen, son Ethan, stepchildren Tierna and Rosie and siblings Danielle, Andrew, Kirsty and Chloe.
Police have confirmed that their main line of inquiry is that dissident republicans were responsible for the murder.
On Saturday the PSNI conducted house raids in Poleglass and in the New Lodge Road area in the north of the city.
The PSNI have also said that two men were captured on CCTV leaving the scene after the shooting.
Police said that on the day of the killing, February 13, a dark car was seen in the area around the time of the attack.
Officers said that anyone that can help with the investigation should call the non emergency number 101 and speak to a detective at Musgrave Road station and quote reference 1192 of 13/2/18.