FRIENDS of a young Southsider who died tragically last year have unveiled a mural in his memory at a local youth club.
The death of David Byrne (19) deeply affected many young people and others in his community, where he had been involved for many years in the local St John Bosco Youth Centre.
One year on from his death, his friends in the youth centre decided they would do something to remember him by. They spent many evenings working on a mural to commemorate the young man’s life.
Paul Dennis (19), who was a friend of Mr Byrne’s, said those who knew him had lost a
“great friend
? and a
“truly wonderful person
? and wanted to express this by creating the mural.
“As a group of young people we share one very special bond and that is our dear friend David, who was so tragically taken from us one year ago,
? he said.
“Each piece, colour and design of the entire mural has sentimental meaning to everyone that took part and knew him for the good, kind hearted person that he was.
“Our hope is that this mural will give its viewers some idea of what a wonderful person David was and what his friendship meant to us and, most importantly, that his memory will live on.
?
The mural was unveiled on Saturday, March 24, in St John Bosco Youth Centre. Friends and family were in attendance and the event included musical performances by young people from the area.
Brian Murphy, who is a manager at the youth centre, said he was proud to have supported the event and the young people involved.
“Too often the Drimnagh area and the young people who live here are portrayed negatively in the media,
? he said.
He explained that David, who lived next door to the centre, was involved in the youth club from an early age right up until his mid-teens and had many friends there.
“David would have been involved in the after school programme here at the centre when he was about seven or eight,
? Mr Murphy explained.
“He also would have been involved in some of the youth work programmes and some of the art groups up to when he was about 16 or 17.
“From our perspective in the club he was always a nice, friendly chap who would drop in and say hello to people. He was never any bother over the years that I knew him.
?