Scottish Catholic Observer

A memorial service for Liam Aitchison, who was murdered on the Isle of Lewis last month, will be held at Our Holy Redeemer Church, Stornoway, tomorrow at 1pm, led by parish priest Fr Roddy Johnston.

Sixteen-year-old Liam (above) was found dead in a derelict building in the Steinish area of Stornoway, on November 29, a week after he went missing. The murder was the first on the island since 1968 and left the small community reeling.

“It’s so rare that there’s a shock, a terrible shock to the whole community,” Fr Johnston said following the teenager’s death.

Fr Johnston also spoke about the impact the death has had on the community.

“You feel angry about what’s happened, directed to those who committed this terrible act and a guilt maybe that all of us collectively should’ve done more to help Liam and those like him,” he said.

Liam had only recently moved to Lewis from South Uist in search of work and all who knew him during the few months he spent on the island are invited to attend tomorrow’s service.

Friends of Liam have said tomorrow’s service will provide a welcome opportunity for anyone who is unable to travel to the funeral, which will take place on South Uist, where the teenager is originally from.

Two men have appeared in court charged with Liam’s murder and it has been reported that one of the men is already in jail, having been imprisoned for an unrelated offence in the days after the teenager went missing.