Sean Fox: Close associates of murdered Belfast drug lord stayed away from funeral – – DeathInTown

A number of high-profile underworld figures were notable absentees when Foxx was buried on Tuesday, eight days after he was shot at the Donegal Celtic Social Club in west Belfast.

Fox ignored warnings that he was on the hit list and paid the final price.

His shooting caused fear among the city’s criminal gangs, with many known criminals going underground and even leaving the city until tensions eased.

Those whose names are on the hit list have been warned that their lives are in danger.

Sunday World understands that those responsible for killing Fox have already identified their next target.This is believed to be a drug dealer based in the south of the city

The person who carried out the murder, believed to be the same crew member who killed drug dealer Jim “JD” Donegan in 2018, according to well-placed criminal sources. .

Donegan was near Fox and was shot several times at point-blank range while sitting in a car waiting to pick up his son from school.

Sources say the killer intends to spare no time.

“They can wait,” said the source.

“It’s been nearly four years since JD was taken away, but time doesn’t matter. They’re willing to wait until the right time to get a man.”

Fox is believed to have taken over Donegan’s business, but is believed to have refused to settle a £30,000 debt he inherited from a friend.

“There are a lot of nervous people right now. Some of them were trying to stay away from Seany’s funeral. They don’t want to be seen as having been close to him. That’s enough to kill them.” I guess.”

Those who attended the funeral this week heard that his life had been “brutally taken by ruthless and evil people.”

At a funeral mass at The Church of Christ the Savior, Father Paddy McCafferty said that Fox’s killer “had deliberate intent and careful planning to attempt to murder Fox”.

“Those who take human life commit a heinous sin against the living God. They are breaking God’s fifth commandment, Thou shalt not kill.”

“The fate of those who ordered, planned and carried out this merciless crime,” he said, “is eternal fire reserved for the devil and his angels, if they persist in sin and evil.”

Fox’s wife Katrina, son Nathan, daughter Megan, parents John and Ann, and sisters Nicola and Carrie attended a funeral mass with dozens of mourners before being cremated at Rose Lawn.

Detectives maintained a presence on the scene, and DCI Millar repeated PSNI’s request for information.

“The shooter set off on foot towards Gweedore Gardens along the Suffolk Road.

“On the afternoon of Sunday, October 9, our officers revisited the scene of this ruthless and highly targeted attack that shocked the entire community.

“We continue to seek information and would like to thank anyone who was at the Donegal Celtic Sport and Social Club who may have witnessed what happened or who may have cell phone footage. please contact us.”

The murder of Mr. Fox is related to five other executions: the shootings of Donegan, Mark Hall, Warren Crossan, Robbie Lawler, and Tommy Crossan.

Meanwhile, police defended an investigation into a series of murders in the north and west of the city.

The parish priest, Father McCafferty, said he couldn’t understand why no one was held responsible for up to 16 murders across the district in recent years, saying the “street dogs” knew who was responsible. added.

In the aftermath of the “deplorable” killing at the Donegal Celtic Sports and Social Club on 2 October, Chief Superintendent Darrin Jones, Belfast District Commander, has announced an increase in resources across the western part of the city. promised to continue

“Our detective colleagues on the main investigative team continue to investigate the gruesome murder of Mr. Fox and many other murders,” he said.

“We need the community to work with us and come forward to tell the police what they know about the people who carry out these heinous murders.

“Successful prosecutions require evidence, and by working together we can achieve better results.

“We understand that this can be difficult for some people, but there are many avenues available for reporting information. Crimestoppers offers rewards of up to £20,000 for anonymous information received, It led to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder, Mr. Fox.”

Senior cops are particularly interested in collecting cell phone footage from people who were watching football at the club when the killer opened fire.

“This was a calculated, planned, cold-blooded execution,” Jones said.

“It was done in public, in broad daylight.

“The shooters have left on foot along the Suffolk Road towards Gweedore Gardens.”

Speaking to The Belfast Telegraph, Father McCafferty said the PSNI’s failure to solve a spate of murders was “an indictment against the entire law and order system” in Northern Ireland.

The priest also said it was a “beggarly belief” that the shooter could act “with impunity”, casting doubt on the police’s “protective powers”.

“I know people who have told police certain things and no action has been taken,” he claimed, lamenting the heartbreak and grief caused by the severe drug problem in his community. .