A PRIEST at the funeral of murder victim Sean Fox has described those who killed him as “ruthless and evil individuals”.
Mr Fox (42) was gunned down as he sat in Donegal Celtic social club in west Belfast on Sunday, October 2.
Police say more than 20 bullets were fired at the victim by two masked gunmen during the attack, which lasted around 21 seconds, as he fell to the floor.
It is known yet know who killed the father-of-two.
Relatives and friends of the murdered man gathered at Christ the Redeemer Church at Lagmore, on the outskirts of west Belfast, today for his Requiem Mass.
In a hard hitting homily Fr Paddy McCafferty said Mr Fox’s life was “cruelly taken”.
“Those who take human life commit a heinous offence against the living God,” he said.
“They break God’s fifth commandment - thou shalt not kill.
“Sean’s life was cruelly taken from him by ruthless and evil individuals.
“They set out, with deliberate intent and careful planning, to murder Sean.”
Fr McCafferty spoke directly to those responsible.
“The ministers of God must speak the truth and faithfully preach as the lord has given us direction,” he said.
“Therefore, I must say to those who perpetrated this diabolical atrocity, ‘flee from the wrath that is to come’.
“For, if you will not repent, you most certainly will face the wrath of almighty God in eternity when you, in your turn, leave this world.”
Fr McCafferty said those who carried out the killing will also be judged.
“Those who ordered, planned and carried out this ruthless crime, their fate, if they persist in their sin and wickedness, is ‘the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’,” he said.
“They will not escape the great and terrible judge of the whole earth who will see that justice is done.
“God has already set and fixed that day when he will judge the whole world.”
Mr Fox's remain were later removed to Roselawn crematorium.
He is survived by his widow Katrina, son Nathan, daughter Megan, parents John and Anne, and sisters Nichola and Carrie.
Mr Fox was a close associate of murdered drugs boss Jim 'JD' Donegan who was shot dead as he sat in his car on the Glen Road in west Belfast in December 2018.
Police later said they believed the INLA and Óglaigh na hÉireann were involved in the shooting.
Earlier this week the Irish News revealed that Mr Fox had raised concerns about his safety with Community Restorative Justice (CRJ) twice in the past 18 months.
The organisation helps mediate on behalf of people under paramilitary threat.
It is understood he approached CRJ over fears that he had been identified as being linked to the drugs trade.
A £20,000 reward has been offered for information about the murder.
