A former estate agent once linked to a UDA money laundering operation will be remembered as a “dynamic” salesman who made his way to the top of his industry through sheer determination.
Philip Johnston was found dead at his Bangor home on Wednesday afternoon, and police have said they are not treating his death as suspicious.
The 51-year-old founded his own estate agent business which dominated the local market before allegations of money laundering were made against him in 2005.
He was arrested in April of that year, with police suspecting him of laundering money for flamboyant east Belfast UDA brigadier Jim Gray – who was arrested shortly before Mr Johnston.
Charges against the estate agent were dropped in 2006, months before Grey was shot dead at his father’s Clarawood estate home by gunmen thought to be his former UDA associates.
Mr Johnston said the association with Gray – who he sold a single property to - ruined his career. He told the BBC Spotlight programme in 2006 that at the time he had been afraid of the loyalist gangster, adding: “My name will never be restored.
“Anybody who talks about Philip Johnston, the estate agent, in the future will be synonymous with two things, one, property and two, Jim Gray/paramilitary organisation/ money-laundering etc.”
However, a former colleague has said Mr Johnston will be remembered differently by friends and loved ones.
Beth Robinson, a partner in estate agents Templeton Robinson, said he was a good friend to those who knew him, and had made waves as a young salesman – despite having no formal qualifications.
“I had the pleasure of working alongside him at Brian Morton & Co when he joined aged 16, fresh from school,” Ms Robinson told the Irish News.
“He was a dynamic salesperson who loved his work, and he flourished very very quickly, going on to become one of the biggest names in the industry here.”
In 2008, Mr Johnston bought back a significant part of the business portfolio he was forced to sell in the wake of the allegations, and ran a new-look estate agency until selling it in 2013.
Ms Robinson added: “Everybody would have supported Philip, and he did have a very difficult time over the last 10 years, but he fought hard to try and regain his reputation, and was successful in doing so.
“Philip was a very supportive, generous friend, and he will be missed by many who knew him.”
A funeral service for Mr Johnston is due to take place next week.
