Thread by @SEFFLisnaskea

Sorry for tardy posting

SEFF remembers P/T UDR LCpl Alan Johnston, 23, murdered 34 yrs ago by PIRA at 8:00am, 15/2/88, as he walked into Kilkeel Joinery Works to begin his shift, followed in by a gunman who opened fire at close range.
He was a member of Young Unionists Ass'n &..

..described by a friend as "being 1 of the many young men in Ulster whose only desire is to serve their community & provide protection for us all".
At his funeral, Rev. McCaughey condemned the HMG's security policy & claimed it had stood by while young men were being "gunned ...

..down & blown to pieces". He also condemned those who carried out the killing, dismissing the PIRA claim that it's unit had been involved in a "brave action in Kilkeel".
In Dec/88, a Kilkeel man was given a life sentence for the murder but of course never served it due to the ..

..Befast Agreement. Alan's family continue to serve a life sentence.
In '19, Alan's sister Sandra, Chair of Kilkeel-based MAST victims gp spoke out publicly when republican 'dissident' group Saoradh were planning an idolatry of terrorism event for convicted terrorist McCreesh ...

..:- "Alan was a fantastic, law-abiding young man, on his way to work, a lunchbox in 1 hand, a toolbox in the other. He was shot in the back by a coward. He didn't stand a chance. We've picked up the pieces but we're living & seeing it every day, watching SF in government, ...

..accepting NI for what it is today. We've remained dignified, kept our pride, but there's nothing dignified or proud about what this commemoration stands for. Our wounds are still there. They're not being allowed to heal by people who still, no matter how much society casts ...

..them aside & reviles them, feel it appropriate to celebrate a terrorist. That's what Raymond McCreesh was. ... We've never had an apology over Alan's murder. We've never had justice of any sort. But we're strong, we'll keep going. Despite the disgust at the actions of Saoradh..

..the strength of the victims will shine through. We are very proud of our loved ones who lost their lives, murdered, & we have nothing to be afraid of. We have truth on our side. But if republican politicians continue to call for an 'all-inclusive' society, can they tell me ...

..what they mean? Does that include me & so many others who are appalled by the continued celebration of terrorists who took loved ones from us, murdered them & now celebrate people like Raymond McCreesh? Is constantly getting in the faces of the community, winding them up, ...

..dancing on the graves of our family members part of that all-inclusive society republican politicians aspire to?"
Powerful words resonating with many innocent victims of any faith.

Our thoughts & prayers are with all innocents impacted by Alan's murder, today & every day.