The UFF has admitted in a statement, responsibility for the murder of Gerard Lawlor claiming it was "a measured military response" to attacks by republicans.
The North's Security Minister, Jane Kennedy, said the statement was a pathetic attempt to justify a sordid sectarian murder .
Earlier today the Minister for Foreign Affairs condemned the murder of the Catholic father of one in North Belfast. Brian Cowen said that the death of Gerard Lawlor last night was a stark reminder of where savage sectarian hatred can lead.
Mr Lawlor's mother has appealed for no retaliation. The 19-year-old was walking home from a pub on the Antrim Road at around 12am when he was shot a number of times, close to his Whitewell Road home. He had been wearing a Celtic football jersey, so his killers may have suspected he was a Catholic.
Mr Lawlor lived at home with his parents and four brothers aged between 10 and 20. He had been preparing to set up home later this week with his girlfriend and 18-month-old son.
Members of the family were on holiday in Newcastle, County Down, when police called to break the news of his death.
Parish priest, Father Dan Whyte, who administered the last rites, said the community must reject the terrorists who carried out the killing.
The Northern Secretary has condemned the killing as a vicious attack which was "beneath contempt".
Dr John Reid said no community grievance or political cause could ever justify such action. He said those responsible for the killing must and would be brought to justice.
He said the onus was on paramilitaries who talk peace to prove it by their actions.
A local Sinn Fein Councillor said the shooting was a deliberate attempt by loyalists to murder members of a Catholic family.
Brian McKeown said it was extremely fortunate that no-one had been killed or seriously injured, in view of the fact that bullets had entered an upstairs bedroom of the house at Charles Street, narrowly missing an 18-year-old girl.
The Garvaghy Road Residents' Coalition in Portadown urged Catholics in the Portadown area to exercise care and vigilance following the attack.
Brendan MacCionnaith said he had no doubt that the shooting was the product of what he said was the recent amalgamation of the LVF in Portadown and the UDA in Belfast.
