‘I want to remember Stephen the way he lived, not the way he died’
By Mary Dennehy
A BENEFIT night is being held this month in memory of slain dad-of-three Stephen Lynch, with money raised going towards his mother’s hope of erecting a headstone at her son’s grave for his upcoming birthday.
On 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 the young father, who gardai 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 – which was used to run over Stephen, who was then kicked as he lay unconscious on the ground.
Last week, a man in his twenties was arrested by gardai at Tallaght – the first arrest made in the ongoing investigation into Stephen’s death.
A Garda spokesperson confirmed that a man in his 20s was arrested on August 30 in connection with Stephen’s murder but was released the following day, with investigations on-going.
This September 29, the community is invited to support a benefit night in the Maldron Hotel, Tallaght, to remember Stephen – and “the way he lived, not the way he died”.
Speaking with The Echo this week, Stephen’s mother Vera Donovan, who lives in Glenshane, said: “I want the night to remember Stephen and the way he lived, not the way he died.
“I hope people will come along and have some fun like Stephen would have wanted.
“Stephen had a great sense of humour, so alongside a DJ we’re also having a comedian, which is right up Stephen’s street.”
She added: “We’re so grateful to people for supporting the night and any money raised will go towards trying to get a headstone placed at Stephen’s grave for his birthday on November 12.”
Looking back over the past six months, Vera said: “We’re just taking one day at a time and trying to do all of the normal stuff that we know Stephen would want to see us doing.
“It can be hard getting up and out each day but we can hear Stephen telling us that it’s what we have to do . . . and what we have to do for his kids.
“Stephen’s loss is still unbelievable, but we receive so much support every day from our family, friends, neighbours and the wider community . . . including local councillors Cathal King, Louise Dunne and Dermot Richardson.”
No one has yet been charged with the young dad’s violent death and Vera has this week once again appealed to those who may have information to contact Tallaght Garda Station.
Tickets for the Stephen Lynch Benefit Night, which is being held in the Maldron Hotel on September 29 from 7.30pm, cost €10 and are on sale at Tallaght Adventure World in Whitestown Business Park.
