MOURNERS at the funeral of Mr Martin McCrory, the alleged drug dealer shot dead in west Belfast, have been told that the killing has sullied the whole city.
The attack last Wednesday was claimed by Direct Action Against Drugs, widely believed to be a cover name for the IRA. Mr McCrory (30), was shot through the window of his home in Turf Lodge as he sat watching television with his girlfriend and two sons.
He was interred last Saturday after requiem mass in Holy Trinity Church. Several hundred mourners attended. Mr McCrory was the fourth alleged drug dealer to be killed in Belfast last month.
Father Patrick McCafferty said the shootings showed that the paramilitaries were unable to turn away from bloodlust and the kind of activities they "very used to".
"Perhaps they are an indicator that they are not fully reconciled to laying down all forms of warfare and turning away from all kinds of violence and destructiveness."