Back battle against violence in North, mourners told

PEOPLE in Northern Ireland must be unequivocal in their condemnation of murder and support the forces of law and order, mourners at the funeral of a man who died after being beaten in Belfast were told yesterday.

As two men from west Belfast were charged by police with assisting the killers of 25-year-old David Cupples before Christmas in Clifton Park Avenue, a Presbyterian minister told mourners that while anger was understandable, it accomplished nothing.

"When I left the intensive care unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital on that Sunday after sitting at David's bedside with John (his father) and David's brother Stephen, my immediate and initial reaction was anger," the Rev George Moffett told the congregation at Tullycarnet Presbyterian Church in east Belfast.

"I know that was the reaction of many people people who knew David and his family and it was certainly the reaction here in David's Church family.

"(They were) angry that a young man's life should be so brutally and savagely taken away, angry at the people who carried out this terrible deed. I believe we have the right to be angry and God understands our anger.

"But anger in itself and by itself will accomplish nothing. Anger will not right the terrible wrong that happened on Sunday.

"We, as citizens of this land, have a responsibility as people, as Christians. We must always stand up for what is good and right and true.

"We must utterly and totally condemn the violence and murder that is rampant in our society and give our support to the forces of law and order, the Police Service of Northern Ireland."

Mr Cupples was badly beaten in Clifton Park Avenue on the north of the city as he made his way to Girdwood Army base, where he was a civilian worker. He died in hospital on Christmas Day.

Two 20-year-old men were yesterday charged by police with assisting those who murdered him.

The two, who will appear at Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast todayOK, were also accused of an offence in connection with the attempted murder of a senior loyalist during the feud between rival factions in the Ulster Defence Association.

They were charged with withholding information relating to the attempted killing of UDA commander John Gregg between December 20 and 29.

Mr Moffett described David Cupples as an affable young man" who loved wildlife programmes on television and "would not hurt a fly".

After the funeral service, Mr Cupples was laid to rest in Roselawn Cemetery.