Lynch family pay tribute to Stephen on his 35th birthday
By Aideen O'Flaherty
THE family of Stephen Lynch, who was killed when he was deliberately hit by a car on Brookview Close in Tallaght in April 2017, marked his 35th birthday earlier this month with a socially distanced gathering at his graveside and a renewed appeal for information in relation to his death.
Father-of-three Stephen, a past pupil of St Aidan’s Community School in Brookfield, was 31 when he died.
Stephen’s brother Ray and mother Vera holding a framed photo of Stephen
Stephen was struck by a silver Ford Focus hatchback on April 13, 2017, at approximately 7pm, and died instantly.
It is believed that Stephen, 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 the silver Ford Focus.
Although Tallaght Garda Station previously sent a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the DPP ruled last year that there would be no prosecutions as there wasn’t enough evidence to bring charges in the case.
Now, more than three years later, the Lynch family are still looking for people to come forward with information about Stephen’s murder, as no one has been charged with the offence.
An old photo that Ray
Stephen’s brother Ray, 28, who said he remembers his brother as being “a cheeky chappy” with a great sense of humour, gathered with his family on Stephen’s birthday, November 12, to mark his brother’s 35th birthday at his graveside.
“We tried to mark it as best we could, given the circumstances,” Ray told The Echo. “It was a strange one.”
The Lynch family also launched a renewed appeal for information, by placing new, larger Crimestoppers posters around the area where Stephen died, asking residents who were there to come forward.
When asked what he would like to say to those who were there when Stephen was killed but have yet to come forward, Ray said: “I’m not asking for anyone to understand how we feel, or what we are going through as a family, but it is very frustrating to drive around an estate seeing your brother’s face on posters, begging people who we grew up around to come forward with information.”
He added: “I still don’t feel like I’ve dealt with [Stephen’s death]. As much as I’m living with it, I don’t feel like I’m over it, nor will I ever be.
“I could be anywhere and get a random memory and, before I know it, I’m back to square one.
“People tell me how strong I am or how inspiring I am for how I’ve dealt with it, but I’m the only person that doesn’t believe that.”
The Lynch family continues to grapple with the loss of their brother, son and father, and while Ray said that even though bringing those responsible for Stephen’s death to justice “will never bring my brother back”, he added: “It might bring a small bit of comfort to myself and my family, that we can then try to carry on with our lives as best we can.”
Ray supplied The Echo with a copy of his most treasured photo with his big brother, which was taken many years ago at Christmas, when the two boys were children.
“Me and Stephen didn’t have the best relationship,” explained Ray, “so this photo reminds me of a time when we did.
“I cherish this picture. As a big brother he always had my back, and this photo reminds me of that.”
Anybody with information can contact Crimestoppers on 1800 25 00 25, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or Tallaght Garda Station on 01 666 6000.
*A previous version of this story erroneously stated that Stephen Lynch died of his injuries a short time after being struck by the car.
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