Dad’s agony over son’s tragic death
Dublin People 28 Jan 2012
THE heartbroken father of a teenager found dead in Ballymun 10 years ago has not given up hope of finding out why his son died in tragic circumstances.
Time will never heal the grief and pain that Martin
Flood still carries with him a decade on from his son Christopher’s death.
The body of the 18-year-old, who was nicknamed Snowy
because of his fair hair, was found facedown at the bottom of the eight-storey
flats on Sillogue Road.
The cause of death had initially been put down to
suicide but this doesn’t add up, in the opinion of the devastated dad.
“To this day I can’t accept that Christopher took his
own life,
? he told Northside People.
“I believe someone else was involved because
Christopher’s injuries are not consistent with a fall.
“He had bruises across his knuckles and bruising
around his right eye which suggests that he was in some sort of fight.
“The coroner’s report ruled that there wasn’t a broken
bone in his body which just wouldn’t make sense if he had fallen eight storeys
to his death.
?
The jury returned an open verdict in the coroner’s
inquest, leaving Martin with more questions than answers in relation to the
death of his second eldest of six children.
“We’re in limbo and the whole family has been really
badly affected by Christopher’s death and 10 years of not knowing what happened
to him,
? Martin explained.
“I know it might seem that I’m desperately trying to
hold on to something but I just can’t get closure when there are so many
questions unanswered.
“For instance, I still have the watch that he was
wearing at the time of his death which is in perfect working order and hasn’t
even a scratch on it.
?
Christopher had been working in a local engineering
company at the time of his death. He had been staying in the Balcurris Boys’
Home hostel as he was recovering from alcohol addiction.
However, the toxicology report concluded that there
was a minimal trace of alcohol in his system when he died.
“The reports from the hospital that was treating
Christopher was that he was recovering very well and he was in a much better
place,
? Martin stated.
“He was getting his life back on track and was very
happy.
?
Christopher was described as being a very pleasant and
loveable character who would do anything for anyone.
“He kept to himself and had the same friends since
childhood,
? Martin continued.
“He was a fairly typical teenage boy – he loved
Liverpool and fishing and just wanted to get on with his life, meet a girl and
have a family at some stage.
?
The Flood family are hoping that somebody with new
information who could end their agony and answer some of their questions will
contact the gardai.
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