Community gathers to remember Stephen Lynch

By Mary Dennehy

THE Tallaght community gathered for a moving candlelit vigil on Wednesday to remember murdered dad Stephen Lynch and to stand in solidarity with his family and friends – while also sending a message that this type of violent and devastating behaviour cannot continue in communities.

Last Thursday, April 13, Stephen Lynch (32) lost his life after he was deliberately run over by a car on Brookview Close at around 7pm.

It is believed that gardai are following a line of inquiry that the young father was walking in the area when he became involved in a verbal dispute with four men travelling in a silver Ford Focus – which was used to run over the dad-of-three, who was also kicked as he lay unconscious on the ground.

A red Volkswagen Polo, found abandoned in the Crumlin area, is also being examined as part of the investigation.

Gardai have confirmed that Stephen was not involved in criminality, with a senior Garda source this week describing the 32-year-old to The Echo as “an innocent young man”.

Tallaght Sinn Fein councillor Cathal King, who is a friend of Stephen and his family, said: “What happened last Thursday is really hitting home hard for me and for the whole community.

“When I heard first I was so angry that Stephen’s life had been taken away so violently and for no reason.

“He was loved by the community and lived for his community and his family.

“He was such a happy go lucky lad who loved his football and socialising.

“He really was a genuine chap and to be taken away like this is sickening.”

He added: “Something has to be done across the entire community, and I believe the community standing behind Stephen’s family sends a message.

“There is a sense of lawlessness that has gotten out of control, there’s a sense that young lads can to what they want and that there will be no repercussions.

“There has been a number of other incidents across the area recently, with what happened to Stephen the most tragic and severe.

“It has tragically brought things to a head and people are looking for something to be done.

“There has been such an outpouring of grief and solidarity by the community because a completely innocent man has lost his life, and we cannot let that happening again.

“We need to show these scumbags that we will not let them continue to intimidate and inflict devastation on our communities, which are lived in by decent people trying to raise families.”

Cllr King believes that Gardai at Tallaght are doing what they can but that more resources are needed across the area, with a focus also required on the building of relationships between gardai and estates.

The Echo understands that gardai are closing in on those involved in the attack, with officers trawling through CCTV that stretches from Tallaght to Crumlin.

When contacted by The Echo, a senior Garda source said: “There has been no arrests yet but we are actively pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

“Stephen was not involved in criminality and was an innocent young man and there is a full investigation team at Tallaght working to find those involved.

“We are currently continuing to go through CCTV footage from Tallaght to Crumlin and a number of items recovered at the scene are being examined forensically.”

A number of people have already come forward with information, with gardai continuing to encourage members of the public who may be able to assist them in their investigation to contact the station.

Contact Tallaght Garda Station on 6666000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.