Garden opens in memory of Amy

THE 21st birthday of missing a Northside woman was marked last week by the unveiling of a garden dedicated to her memory.

A little ray of light in an otherwise dark day came through the official opening of the sensory garden at Amy Fitpatrick’s old school in Artane, Scoil Chaitríona.

It’s hoped the garden at the girls’ national school will keep Amy’s memory alive for generations to come while also offering Amy’s heartbroken mother Audrey Fitzpatrick and her stepfather David Mahon a place to reflect.

Amy was aged just 16 when she vanished from the family’s Spanish home, in Calahona on the Costa del Sol, on New Year’s Day 2008. There has been no trace of her since.

According to Audrey, her 21st birthday (February 7) was another milestone for the family to overcome.

“I really wasn’t looking forward to the day and I probably would have locked myself away were it not for the opening of the garden,

? she told Northside People.

“But it was really lovely to be back in what was mine and Amy’s old school surrounded by the teachers, pupils and our relatives.

“This garden means an awful lot to me because unlike other parents I don’t have a grave to visit or somewhere to go to feel close to Amy.

“I’m in limbo really but now I have somewhere to go to think about her and talk to her.

?

Audrey, who said she accepts that Amy is dead, said her 21st birthday was one of the first big milestones that the family experienced in Ireland.

Audrey and her partner Dave were joined on a damp and dreary Thursday morning by past teachers who fondly remembered Amy, as well as Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Naoise O’Muiri, who cut the ribbon on the little garden.

The garden, which includes a little seating area and pots of pansies and trees, is set to become an intimate space for the students to chat and relax.

School principal Moira Bennett explained how the garden was some months in the making.

“We thought that Amy’s birthday was a fitting day to open it,

? said Ms Bennett.

“I thought it would be a good idea to name the garden in her honour especially after I read Audrey’s book which was so very touching and because she was a past pupil of this school.

“We hope that it will be there for many years to come. Hopefully it will be somewhere where Amy’s family will go as well as our pupils as a quiet place to reflect.

?

Ms Bennett praised the school’s sanctuary garden green committee as well as the school’s caretaker for their tireless efforts to plan and create the sensory garden.

Dublin Bay North TD Terence Flanagan (FG) welcomed the opening of the garden in Amy’s memory.

“I think the garden is a fitting tribute to mark the 21st birthday of Amy,

? he said.

“The garden provides the perfect environment for students to take a break from school activities and the atmosphere is quiet and relaxing.

“The search for Amy has been ongoing now for some time and I know that this has been a very difficult time for all of her family.

?

Deputy Flanagan added:

“I am happy that the school has constructed this garden to provide a permanent tribute to Amy and a place to reflect and remember her.”