Northern Ireland

Raymond Johnston funeral: Priest says killers 'will have to face God'

 The funeral of Raymond Johnston
 The funeral of Raymond Johnston  The funeral of Raymond Johnston

THE priest at the funeral of murder victim Raymond Johnston has said his killers will "have to face God for what they have done".

The 28-year-old was shot dead at the home he shared with his partner and his 11-year-old daughter in the Glenbawn Avenue area of Poleglass last Tuesday evening.

Although no-one has claimed responsibility, members of a republican paramilitary faction are believed to have been involved.

Mr Johnston’s coffin was draped in a tricolour as it was taken to the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass for his Requiem Mass today.

Wreaths spelling out the words, ‘daddy’, ‘son’, ‘brother’ and ‘partner’, were also placed in the hearse.

Some mourners wore Celtic tops with the name 'Ray' printed on the back, while one carried a picture of the murdered man.

During Mass Fr Aidan Keenan said the victim did not deserve his fate.

“When someone dies it is very difficult to deal with but in these circumstances to think that someone would deliberately shoot a fellow human being is unbelievable, no-one deserves to die in such a way,” he said.

“Those who think they have the right to be judge and jury must remember that they have to face God for what they have done.”

He said it is not known why the victim was targeted.

“We don’t know why Raymond was singled out and it is not up to us to speculate,” he said.

“We are here at this Requiem Mass to ask God to forgive Raymond his sins and to pray for his family and friends.”

Fr Keenan said the dead man was always willing to help others.

“Listening to people describing Raymond, they say he was a jack of all trades.

“He helped people out with their painting and decorating.

“He tried to help people if he could.”

He added that Mr Johnston was seen by some as a “loveable rogue”.

“Raymond was also described as a loveable rogue and he would probably agree with that because he was no saint and in the past when he was younger he may have done things that he regretted,” he said.

“The Troubles as we called them had an effect on a lot of our lives.”

The priest added: “Let us all pray today that Raymond will be the last person to die in such a tragic way.

“We need to move on and find a way back to peace.”

Mr Johnston was buried at Crumlin Cemetery.

 Raymond Johnston was shot dead on Tuesday February 13
 Raymond Johnston was shot dead on Tuesday February 13  Raymond Johnston was shot dead on Tuesday February 13
 Raymond Johnston's funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass
 Raymond Johnston's funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass  Raymond Johnston's funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Nativity in Poleglass