A grisly chapter in Paisley’s gangland past was finally closed yesterday as former crime boss Stewart Gillespie was laid to rest.

Hundreds of mourners turned out to bid farewell to 53-year-old Gillespie, who died during adisturbance at his home in the Gallowhill area of town earlier this month.

Back in the 1990s, dad-of-two Gillespie was among the most feared men in Paisley.

He was released from prison two years ago, having served 14 years behind bars for the murder of rival drug dealer Mark Rennie.

However, Gillespie met his own end after being found lying in a pool of blood at his flat in Glencairn Road following a stabbing incident.

There was a low-key policepresence at yesterday’s funeral, which focused on Gillespie’s days growing up in Ferguslie Park and his strong family bonds.

After a service at the J&WGoudie funeral parlour in Maxwellton Street, Gillespie was laid to rest at nearby Woodside Cemetery.

As mourners gathered at the graveside, there was a reading of the popular folk song The Parting Glass, which includes the words “Of all the money e’er I had, I spent it in good company. And all the harm e’er I’ve done, alas, it was to none but me.”

One source told the Paisley Daily Express: “Gillespie certainly had a colourful past and was a well-known figure in Paisley, so it’s not surprising there was a large turnout for his funeral.”

Gillespie’s reputation as ahardened criminal was confirmed in 1996 when he was jailed for the cold-blooded gangland execution of 27-year-old rival Mr Rennie, who was shot dead near his Ferguslie Park home.

He was a central figure in the bloody struggle for control ofPaisley’s drug trade at the time and was also involved in scandal-hit security firm FCB and its links to alleged protection rackets, drug peddling and money laundering.

Paramedics were called toGlencairn Road on Wednesday,