'The mindless tit for tat circle of vengeance is spiralling out of control' - Funerals held for two innocent Ballymun shooting victims

His innocent friend Clinton Shannon (30), who had just driven Devoy to the house, was also killed in a hail of bullets and was laid to rest today in Co Meath.

Convicted criminal Derek 'Bottler' Devoy today mourned at his murdered sister's funeral this morning despite being warned by gardai that his life is in danger.

There was a large Garda presence around Ballymun this morning as the funeral cortège made its way to St Joseph’s Church.

Antoinette’s coffin was brought to the the altar to the song Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits.

Derek Devoy held a young blonde child throughout the mass, and the family embraced each other regularly.

Derek sat to the right of his mother Nancy, and she kissed him on the head occasionally.

Mourners were told how Antoinette had died in a “senseless, violent and brutal” way.

“It was a dark day for the family,” said the priest conducting requiem mass.

He told how Antoinette’s daughter Andrea had just come back from visiting Antoinette's mother Nancy in hospital..

She had just got her Leaving Cert results that day also, and was telling Antoinette about them.

The priest told how Antoinette had told her they would celebrate that weekend. But a few minutes later Antoinette was dead.

“Violence is not the way,” said the priest.

The Garda helicopter and the armed response unit observed the funeral to ensure it was carried out safely.

Around 60 people attended the funeral, and afterwards Antoinette’s remains were brought to Dardistown cemetery for cremation.

Mourners also gathered at the funeral of the second Ballymun shooting victim Clinton 'Clint' Shannon (30).

The priest said that his family "have no hatred in their hearts" following the killing. 

This morning shortly before 11am, hundreds of mourners filtered into the Church of the Sacred Heart, Laytown, Co Meath to pay their respects to the young gun victim.

The chief mourners included his parents, Tommy and Kathleen, siblings Caroline, Tomas and Keith, as well as his long-term partner, Ciara.

The congregation heard that Clinton was an "innocent" man who "radiated joy and brightened up every room".

The chief celebrant, Fr Denis McNelis, told the congregation that Clinton's family "have no hatred in their hearts" and that those responsible "are constantly looking behind their backs".

A picture of a smiling Clinton was placed on top of his coffin throughout the ceremony.

"Clinton brought joy to everybody he knew. He was a person who radiated joy and brightened up every room.

"We don't know who was responsible for the killing in Ballymun, and it is irrelevant if it was part of a drugs war or local feud. One thing of what we are certain is that two people, who were innocent, died.

"Clint's parents would have every right to be enraged. Instead the my hold no animosity and no hatred in their hearts.

"Even though they are burdened down by deep sorrow they are free of thoughts of revenge," Fr McNelis said in his homily.

"Those who did this are not free. They must constantly look behind their backs. Imprison themselves in bullet proof vests. And for all the gun power and bravado, what quality of life have they. The mindless tit for tat circle of vengeance is spiralling out of control and is moving them further away from the peace God gives," Fr McNelis told the congregation.

Following the funeral mass, Mr Shannon's remains were brought to Glasnevin Cemetery for burial.