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Murdered Stephen Carson family ‘torn apart by darkness'

Many of Stephen Carson's family wore t-shirts bearing his image during Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity Church
Many of Stephen Carson's family wore t-shirts bearing his image during Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity Church Many of Stephen Carson's family wore t-shirts bearing his image during Requiem Mass at Holy Trinity Church

THE family of murdered west Belfast man Stephen Carson have been "torn apart by darkness" mourners at his funeral were told.

The 28-year-old father-of-two was shot dead at a house on Walmer Street in the south of the city last month.

It is believed the killing may be linked to the murder of his friend Kieran McManus three years ago.

Hundreds gathered at Holy Trinity Church in west Belfast on Saturday where Requiem Mass for Mr Carson was celebrated.

Many wore t-shirts specially made for the day featuring an image of Mr Carson during happier times.

Father Brendan Smyth described the murder of Mr Carson as "despicable".

The priest said there was "an overwhelming sense of humanity's inability to learn from the past and the futility of such heinous and despicable acts".

"Life is so cheap that it can be snuffed out in the blink of an eye or by the pulling of a trigger. There is no justification for treating life in such a way," he said.

He said Mr Carson's family had been left to "shoulder the cross that has been thrust upon them".

Mr Carson's two young sons were among family members that led his coffin from the church following Mass.

He was killed when three men forced their way into the house were he was sharing a meal with his partner and nine-year-old son.

He was shot in the head through a bathroom door.

Originally from west Belfast, he had left his native part of the city when a feud turned bloody in Turf Lodge in 2010.

His friend Kieran McManus, who has convicted of affray, was shot dead in 2013 outside Domino's Pizza on Kennedy Way where he worked as a delivery driver.

That attack was claimed by the Continuity IRA, but was thought to have involved criminals previously expelled from other republican groupings.

Mr Carson is believed to have received several threats since that murder.

Three men have been charged in connection with the killing

Francis Gerard Smith (39) of Springfield Road is accused of possessing a rifle and 50 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

And police had to be called to help clear people from a court in Belfast amid uproar as Michael Smith (37), of Ardmonagh Gardens, and David Smith (32), of Monagh Drive were jointly charged of the murder.