Menu
29/07/2002
Hundreds turn out to remember murdered teenager
One year on, and hundreds of people gathered yesterday to mark the anniversary of the murder of Protestant teenager Gavin Brett – killed by loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast.
People from across Northern Ireland came together to remember 18-year-old Gavin who was cut down by gunfire from a passing car on the Hightown Road. He had been talking with a group of Catholic friends outside St Enda's GAA club when the UDA gunmen struck. A Catholic teenager was also injured in the shooting. A member of St Enda's, Gerard Lawlor (19), would be murdered less than a year later – killed by the UFF, which is also linked to the UDA.
Many filed into the family's local church in Carnmoney for a service that was attended by representatives of Northern Ireland's main denominations. Afterwards, crowds made their way to the spot where Gavin was murdered, and the man who led the ceremony – Carnmoney minister the Rev Nigel Baylor – made an impassioned appeal for all forms of violence to be "eradicated".
"We have a culture of violence here which must be eradicated," Rev Baylor said after the ceremony.
Referring to the murder of Gerard Lawlor last week, he added: "The silent majority are disgusted and disillusioned by what happened on Sunday night. Ordinary people are coming together to say that these actions are not representative of the community and are not what we want."
Gavin's parents, Michael and Phyllis Brett met with the parents of Gerard Lawlor at a similar vigil last Monday.
(GMcG)
People from across Northern Ireland came together to remember 18-year-old Gavin who was cut down by gunfire from a passing car on the Hightown Road. He had been talking with a group of Catholic friends outside St Enda's GAA club when the UDA gunmen struck. A Catholic teenager was also injured in the shooting. A member of St Enda's, Gerard Lawlor (19), would be murdered less than a year later – killed by the UFF, which is also linked to the UDA.
Many filed into the family's local church in Carnmoney for a service that was attended by representatives of Northern Ireland's main denominations. Afterwards, crowds made their way to the spot where Gavin was murdered, and the man who led the ceremony – Carnmoney minister the Rev Nigel Baylor – made an impassioned appeal for all forms of violence to be "eradicated".
"We have a culture of violence here which must be eradicated," Rev Baylor said after the ceremony.
Referring to the murder of Gerard Lawlor last week, he added: "The silent majority are disgusted and disillusioned by what happened on Sunday night. Ordinary people are coming together to say that these actions are not representative of the community and are not what we want."
Gavin's parents, Michael and Phyllis Brett met with the parents of Gerard Lawlor at a similar vigil last Monday.
(GMcG)
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.
24 July 2002
Thousands gather to remember murdered Catholic
A crowd of over 5,000 people from across Northern Ireland, and the religious divide, have attended a rally in Belfast in memory of 19-year-old Gerard Lawlor who was murdered by the UFF on Sunday night.
Thousands gather to remember murdered Catholic
A crowd of over 5,000 people from across Northern Ireland, and the religious divide, have attended a rally in Belfast in memory of 19-year-old Gerard Lawlor who was murdered by the UFF on Sunday night.
19 June 2009
Cautious Welcome As Loyalist Paramilitaries Disarm
Public representatives have cautiously welcomed news that three of Northern Ireland's main loyalist paramilitary groups have begun - or are on the cusp of - decommissioning illegal weapons. However, some families of the those murdered by the UVF, UDA and RHC have described the move as too little, too late.
Cautious Welcome As Loyalist Paramilitaries Disarm
Public representatives have cautiously welcomed news that three of Northern Ireland's main loyalist paramilitary groups have begun - or are on the cusp of - decommissioning illegal weapons. However, some families of the those murdered by the UVF, UDA and RHC have described the move as too little, too late.
25 July 2002
Funeral takes place of murdered teenager
Mourners have attended the funeral of Catholic teenager Gerard Lawlor who was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast at the weekend. The funeral cortege made its way from the family home to St Gerard's Church on the Antrim Road just before lunchtime on Thursday.
Funeral takes place of murdered teenager
Mourners have attended the funeral of Catholic teenager Gerard Lawlor who was shot dead by loyalist paramilitaries in north Belfast at the weekend. The funeral cortege made its way from the family home to St Gerard's Church on the Antrim Road just before lunchtime on Thursday.
05 October 2018
Man Dies In Cookstown House Fire
A man aged in his 20's has died following a fire at a house in Cookstown, Co Tyrone. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Friday, 05 October. Police said the cause is being investigated but is not believed to be suspicious.
Man Dies In Cookstown House Fire
A man aged in his 20's has died following a fire at a house in Cookstown, Co Tyrone. The blaze broke out in the early hours of Friday, 05 October. Police said the cause is being investigated but is not believed to be suspicious.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Any rain along the north coast soon clearing north to give a dry evening. Further rain will move south and east in the early hours, occasionally heavy. Remaining mild. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
