Funeral due for stabbing victim

Darren Roberts was stabbed to death in Lisburn

The funeral is to take place later of a man who was stabbed to death in Lisburn last Saturday.

Darren Roberts, 20, was stabbed at Millbrook Road. Three men have been remanded in custody in connection with his murder.

His funeral service will be held at Hillhall Presbyterian Church in the city on Saturday morning.

It comes a day after Mr Roberts' family appealed for no retaliation for his killing.

His father, Uel, said he had heard stories that graffiti had appeared on walls and houses had been damaged in response to his son's death.

"They will do nothing to bring Darren back and they are bringing no comfort to his family at this very difficult time," he said.

"If anything, they are making our feelings of loss and sorrow and emptiness even worse.

"I would ask whoever is responsible for this misguided behaviour to stop it. Darren's memory will not be served by crude threats and more violence.

"Stop it. There has been enough suffering. We do not want any more, and most definitely not in Darren's name."