Loving tribute to murdered son

Martin Crozier's body was found in Lenadoon

The father of a 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death at the weekend has been paying an emotional tribute to his son.

The body of Martin Crozier was discovered just after 0300GMT on Sunday at Creeslough Park, Lenadoon in west Belfast.

A 23-year-old man is due to appear at Belfast Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning charged with his murder.

A number of other people are still assisting police with their inquiries.

I don't give a damn what the politicians are saying because they're not the ones who are suffering - my son is lying dead because we haven't got a proper policing service

Joseph Crozier
Victim's father

Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, Joseph Crozier said his son was devoted to his disabled mother, Theresa, a multiple sclerosis sufferer.

"Martin and his mammy were that close. They really lived for each other He did everything for her. His mum is disabled, she's been diagnosed with MS.

"He used to say 'I won't take a full time job because I would not be able to look after you'", said Mr Crozier.

He added that his son was the peace maker in the house and was not really aware of the upsurge of violence, particularly stabbings, in Belfast over Christmas.

"If somebody tried to fight him, Martin would try to walk away first. He hated violence, he really detested it."

Mr Crozier was critical of the current political wrangling over the issue of police reforms.

He added that something had to be done because eight people had been killed in a spate of stabbings over the Christmas period.

His son will be buried on Thursday.