‘As a mother I don’t know how they sleep at night, I can’t sleep’
By Mary Dennehy
IT’S BEEN three years since a young father from Tallaght lost his life after being deliberately run over by a car, with his mother continuing her appeal for information.
On April 13 2017, Stephen Lynch (31) lost his life after he was deliberately run over by a car on Brookview Close in Tallaght at around 7pm.
Vera Donovan with her son Stephen
It is believed that the young father, who gardai have confirmed was not involved in criminality, was walking in the area when he became involved in a verbal dispute with four men travelling in a silver Ford Focus.
This Monday, April 13, will mark the father-of-three’s third anniversary away from home.
“It feels like three days ago, not having any closure is ripping us apart as a family”, Stephen’s mother Vera Donovan told The Echo.
“Everything is just wrong and the fact that nobody is coming forward is beyond me.
“As a mother I don’t know how they sleep at night, I can’t sleep that we’ve still no justice for Stephen.
“However, I won’t give up hope.”
She added: “We miss him so much.
“I really miss his sense of humour, he was funny, very funny.
“It’s hard to find a picture of him where’s he’s not smiling or hugging someone.
“We all miss his presence, he’s a massive loss to all of us, and it’s not going to get any easier.”
She added: “Every day that passes, there’s more things that Stephen’s missing out on.
“He became an uncle again, his brother had a baby boy 14 months ago.
“He would have loved becoming an uncle again.
“It’s hard to think about everything he’s missing out, he’s missing out on his own children growing up.”
Each year for Stephen’s anniversary, his family and friends celebrate his life and the happiness he brought to those around him.
However, this year due to measures brought in to tackle Covid-19, Stephen’s family and friends will not be able to come together in remembrance.
“I can go to the cemetery but I will have to go alone”, Vera told The Echo.
“Everyone wants to protect each other and follow the Government guidelines so we’ll go to the cemetery separately.
“It’s going to be difficult, we always celebrate his life as a family but we can’t do that this year.
“It’s nobody’s fault but it will heighten the pain.”
As Vera faces her son’s third anniversary away from home, she’s re-issued her appeal for information.
“Please, please give us some peace, some closure”, she said.
“Nothing is ever going to change how we feel [without Stephen around] but we need to get justice for him… his life meant something.
“I am appealing for people to come forward… contact the gardai or Crimestoppers.”
Contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Crimestoppers also launched an appeal for information in 2019.
