Laurence remembered at vigil to honour his life

A VIGIL was held for a man who died in a Crumlin park during the recent bank holiday.

Members of the local community gathered in Stannaway Park last Thursday, to remember Walkinstown man Laurence Byrne.

“From the attendance at the vigil, it was clear that Laurence had made an impact on the community with his warm and friendly nature, he was known to chat to people walking in the park and he was regarded very highly locally,” said Siomha Hennessy, a People Before Profit representative and Crumlin resident who organised the vigil.

Laurence Byrne

“Hours of heavy rainfall gave way to sunshine and a vibrant rainbow, just as people started to gather – a rainbow for Laurence.”

Local housing activists who helped organise the vigil said Laurence’s death is a tragedy.

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith TD expressed her condolences online with Laurence’s family and said it is a damning indictment of the government that over 40 people have died in homelessness so far this year.

She called for anyone who is angry about housing to attend a protest on September 15 at 5.30pm, the day the Dáil re-opens.

Crumlin locals say the tree where the vigil took place will be

known from now on as Laurence’s tree.

“The tree will continue to live and grow, and remind us of a lovely man who would perk up our day with his kindness and wit,” said Siomha.