Call for bridge to be named after ‘gay bashing’ victim

DUBLIN City Council is to consider a request to name a Northside bridge after a man who was killed in a so-called

‘gay bashing’ 31 years ago.

A proposal has been put before the council to consider dedicating the name of the new Fairview footbridge to 31-year-old gay man Declan Flynn.

Mr Flynn’s death in 1982 sparked widespread condemnation and prompted the first Gay Pride festival.

A recommendation will be put before the council on April 8 calling for the footbridge in Fairview to be named the

‘Declan Flynn Memorial Bridge’.

The proposal is the brainchild of local councillor Damian O’Farrell (Ind).

Cllr O’Farrell believes it would be a fitting tribute to name the revamped footbridge after a man whose death shaped a movement in Ireland’s history.

Declan Flynn was beaten to death in Fairview Park on September 9, 1982, by five teenagers because he was homosexual.

The gang had been responsible for a spate of attacks in previous weeks and it emerged that they used the park to target members of the gay community.

Mr Flynn, who was an Aer Rianta worker, was attacked as he tried to flee. He had earlier been drinking with a friend in Belton’s Pub in Donnycarney, minutes from his home.

He was in the park when the vicious attack took place. One of the men stole IR£4 from him.

The teenagers responsible received suspended sentences for manslaughter in 1983.

Three decades on, city politicians will now decide on a proposal to name the footbridge adjacent to the park the

‘Declan Flynn Memorial Bridge’.

The bridge dedication would recognise the 30th anniversary of the first ‘Pride’ march in Dublin, which will be celebrated during the summer.

Cllr O’Farrell said dedicating the bridge to Mr Flynn would send out a very positive message about the inclusiveness of today’s society while still

“paying respects to past injustices

?.

“Declan Flynn was a gay man when homosexuality was a crime,

? he told Northside People.

“The gay community is now a major part of Dublin.

“This memorial would be a fitting tribute from the citizens of Dublin.

“Declan’s killing was an appalling incident but something positive came out of this at the time, with the first Gay Pride march organised in response.

“But for a new generation, such struggles can be forgotten.

“In years to come it would be great for pupils in local schools to discover all about Declan and why he died when they are researching their local history.

?

Cllr O’Farrell said naming the bridge after Mr Flynn would go some way to teaching people about the inequality that existed before their time, while serving as a reminder to those who lived through it.

“It will also be a symbol of the incredible progress we have made on social issues such as gay rights, which is a very positive message to send,

? he added.