Menu
01/08/2001
Funeral of murdered teenager takes place
The funeral of an 18-year-old Protestant murdered in north Belfast by loyalist paramilitaries was held on Wednesday 1 August, attended by hundreds of Catholic and Protestant teenagers who knew the victim.
Gavin Brett was killed, and his Catholic friend injured, in a drive-by shooting as they stood chatting with a group of teenagers in Glengormley, near his home, on the night of Sunday July 28.
The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name that has been used in the past for the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force, said it carried out the killing.
A private service was held in the family's home in Glengormley before the funeral cortege travelled to Carnmoney Parish Church. In a poignant gesture the funeral cavalcade passed the spot where Gavin was shot.
Gavin’s father, Michael Brett, a trained paramedic who was nearby when the shooting happened, had tried in vain to assist his dying son. Earlier on Tuesday, he said he was "very, very proud" of his son who had been waiting for his A-level exam results after finishing high school and had hoped to work with computers.
His father said: "Apart from being his dad, he was my mate, my chum. People have asked me, did you bond well with your son? I bonded with my son when he was born 18 years ago and we were the best of mates. There wasn't one bigoted bone in his body and bigots took his life away.”
On Tuesday evening a moving candle-lit vigil was held at the scene of the shooting. Mr Brett said that the family greatly appreciated the support of the hundreds of friends who had called to their house since the murder.
Church leaders and community leaders united in their condemnation of the shooting. (AMcE)
Gavin Brett was killed, and his Catholic friend injured, in a drive-by shooting as they stood chatting with a group of teenagers in Glengormley, near his home, on the night of Sunday July 28.
The Red Hand Defenders, a cover name that has been used in the past for the Ulster Defence Association and the Loyalist Volunteer Force, said it carried out the killing.
A private service was held in the family's home in Glengormley before the funeral cortege travelled to Carnmoney Parish Church. In a poignant gesture the funeral cavalcade passed the spot where Gavin was shot.
Gavin’s father, Michael Brett, a trained paramedic who was nearby when the shooting happened, had tried in vain to assist his dying son. Earlier on Tuesday, he said he was "very, very proud" of his son who had been waiting for his A-level exam results after finishing high school and had hoped to work with computers.
His father said: "Apart from being his dad, he was my mate, my chum. People have asked me, did you bond well with your son? I bonded with my son when he was born 18 years ago and we were the best of mates. There wasn't one bigoted bone in his body and bigots took his life away.”
On Tuesday evening a moving candle-lit vigil was held at the scene of the shooting. Mr Brett said that the family greatly appreciated the support of the hundreds of friends who had called to their house since the murder.
Church leaders and community leaders united in their condemnation of the shooting. (AMcE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
13 March 2009
Polish Pizza Gun Victim 'Recovering' After Surgery
On the same day as the bodies of the two soldiers shot dead in Antrim last weekend were being flown back home to England, it was announced that one of the pizza delivery men seriously injured by Real IRA gunmen during the same deadly attack is recovering well.
Polish Pizza Gun Victim 'Recovering' After Surgery
On the same day as the bodies of the two soldiers shot dead in Antrim last weekend were being flown back home to England, it was announced that one of the pizza delivery men seriously injured by Real IRA gunmen during the same deadly attack is recovering well.
26 February 2016
Man Murdered In South Belfast Named
The man murdered in a shooting attack in south Belfast has been named. Stephen Carson (28) was shot at his home at around 10.45pm on Thursday. It is understand that at least three men, armed with a shotgun and a hammer, entered the house in Walmer Street. There was a confrontation and Mr Carson made his way into the downstairs bathroom.
Man Murdered In South Belfast Named
The man murdered in a shooting attack in south Belfast has been named. Stephen Carson (28) was shot at his home at around 10.45pm on Thursday. It is understand that at least three men, armed with a shotgun and a hammer, entered the house in Walmer Street. There was a confrontation and Mr Carson made his way into the downstairs bathroom.
04 July 2001
YOUNG MAN MURDERED IN ANTRIM
POLICE suspect that there may have been paramilitary involvement the brutal murder of a 19-year-old man in Antrim. A caller to a Belfast newsroom, claiming to be from dissident paramilitary group the Red Hand Defenders, said that they had carried out the murder of Ciarán Cummings. The young man was gunned down at around 7.
YOUNG MAN MURDERED IN ANTRIM
POLICE suspect that there may have been paramilitary involvement the brutal murder of a 19-year-old man in Antrim. A caller to a Belfast newsroom, claiming to be from dissident paramilitary group the Red Hand Defenders, said that they had carried out the murder of Ciarán Cummings. The young man was gunned down at around 7.
24 October 2013
PSNI Appeal For Information About West Belfast Shooting
The PSNI have appeal for witnesses to or any one with any information about a shooting incident in west Belfast on Wednesday night. A man was shot in the leg at Creeslough Gardens at around 21:30 on Wednesday night. It is understood that victim is in his 40s and his injuries are not life threatening.
PSNI Appeal For Information About West Belfast Shooting
The PSNI have appeal for witnesses to or any one with any information about a shooting incident in west Belfast on Wednesday night. A man was shot in the leg at Creeslough Gardens at around 21:30 on Wednesday night. It is understood that victim is in his 40s and his injuries are not life threatening.
06 October 2008
Petrol Bomb Family Escape Injury
A Co Antrim family has escaped injury in a weekend petrol bomb attack. The mother, father and adult son - all members of the same family were in the house when the device was thrown through an upstairs window of the house at Kilmakevit Road in Cullybackey. The petrol bomb started a small fire but the occupants managed to extinguish it.
Petrol Bomb Family Escape Injury
A Co Antrim family has escaped injury in a weekend petrol bomb attack. The mother, father and adult son - all members of the same family were in the house when the device was thrown through an upstairs window of the house at Kilmakevit Road in Cullybackey. The petrol bomb started a small fire but the occupants managed to extinguish it.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A chilly start with a widespread frost and some freezing fog, any freezing fog slow to clear. Otherwise bright with sunny spells and coastal showers. Light winds. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Coastal showers dying out with a widespread frost developing along with freezing fog, which could become extensive. Winds remaining light. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
