Brother leads tributes as man at centre of murder probe laid to rest
THE BROTHER of a man, whose death in Ballymena prompted a murder investigation, has paid a tearful tribute to him at his funeral service calling him a “good-hearted kind person”.
Robin ‘Rab’ McMaster (40) was found dead at Devenagh Court last Thursday.
He was laid to rest yesterday after a service of thanksgiving at Logan’s Funeral Home in Ahoghill.
At the service, his brother Richard choked back tears as he paid tribute to Robin. He told the congregation that he had many memories of “good times” with his sibling.
He explained that one Sunday, around four or five years ago, Robin “gave his life to the Lord” and said the service was “not about saying goodbye”.
In a reference to Robin being a big fan of Ballymena United Football Club, Richard said his brother’s favourite song was ‘Fluffy Sheep’. A sky blue and white flag, the club’s colours, was draped over the coffin.
The congregation was told that as a mark of respect to Robin, his fellow United fans had planned to hold a minute’s applause in the 40th minute — to mark his age — during the Co Antrim Shield semi-final against Linfield last night.
The game was later called off due to the inclement weather, but the tribute is expected to take place when the two meet in a league game on Saturday.
Pastor Darren Pearson from Green Pastures Church read out a touching tribute verse from Robin’s mum Lorraine. Mr Pearson told how Robin had gone to Fourtowns PS, then Cullybackey High and during his school days was often regarded as a “star pupil” before going on to Seven Towers Training Centre and becoming an apprentice painter and decorator.
He then worked in O’Kane’s poultry plant in Ballymena and Gibson Paving contractors.
Due to his epilepsy Robin had to give up work in his 30s which had “really upset” him, Mr Pearson said. The pastor said Robin’s kind nature shone through and in recent weeks he had been helping to care for his uncle Tommy who had fallen ill.
For a time, said Mr Pearson, Robin’s mum Lorraine, who now lives in Gracehill, had lived near to her son at Devenagh Court.
He would have run errands for her and made dinner which he took round to her house. “He cared deeply for them (his family), was always there and he will be sorely missed,” said Mr Pearson. “Robin was a quiet man; he kept himself to himself. He was very kind, generous and funny; he loved life.
“He was also a joker, he was up for a laugh. He supported his beloved Ballymena United, home and away, and just loved to go and watch them through the good times and the bad times.”
The pastor added Robin was also a good neighbour to those who lived beside him at Devenagh Court.
Robin was son of Rab and Lorraine, stepson of the late Alec Black, sibling of Richard, William, Lindsey, Wendy and Irene and dad to Megan and Ella.