Funeral for UVF murder victim

Mr Allen's funeral was from him home

The funeral has taken place of a County Antrim man murdered by the loyalist Ulster Volunteer Force at the weekend.

John Allen, 31, died after being shot in the head and legs by two masked men at a flat at Rashee Park, Ballyclare, on Saturday.

He was taken to Antrim Area Hospital but died a few hours later.

Several hundred people attended the funeral service at his father's house at Cogry Road, near Doagh, on Tuesday.

They heard Presbyterian minster the Reverend George Moore say that those who had carried out the killing were cowardly murderers who would face their own day of judgement.

After the service Mr Allen's remains were taken for burial at Rashee cemetery in Ballyclare.

Mr Allen's father, also called John, has said his son was not involved with the Ulster Volunteer Force.

He said he believed his son may have been targeted as he was the best friend of a man on a witness protection scheme in a court case involving alleged UVF members.

Mr Allen said the police had told him the killing was carried out by the UVF, but he denied claims that the shooting was a paramilitary-style attack which had gone wrong.

He said he believed loyalist gunmen meant to murder his son.

Mr Allen said police told him John had had a warning from the UVF to get out, which he ignored.

On Sunday, loyalist and other sources insisted that the shooting was not sanctioned by the paramilitary leadership.

John Allen with his sister, Amanda, in August

According to BBC Northern Ireland security editor Brian Rowan, that denial would appear to fit with security assessments.

Sources believe the incident was a paramilitary-style attack that ended in murder.

Loyalist sources have suggested that the victim had been a member of the UVF and other sources have confirmed he had links with that group.

Progressive Unionist Party leader David Ervine, whose party is aligned to the UVF, said he unequivocally condemned the shooting.

However, whether or not the murder was sanctioned, it will raise questions about political contacts with the party at government and other levels.

The police said they were following a number of lines of inquiry but as yet had no motive for the attack.

They have not ruled out paramilitary involvement.