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Crowds on Tuesday's peace vigil |
Hundreds join Martin’s family at peace vigil
Service in memory of schoolboy followed by procession to scene of stabbing
TO the sound of Amazing Grace, friends and family of stabbed schoolboy Martin Dinnegan received Holy Communion in his memory this week.
Hundreds filed to the altar at St Mellitus Church in Finsbury Park, only a few streets from the spot where the 14-year-old died two weeks earlier.
The Roman Catholic church, in Tollington Park, was filled for the vigil for peace on Tuesday evening, with crowds spilling into the street.
Later, a 2,000-strong procession walked to the spot in Axminster Road where Martin was knifed four times as he made his way back to the family home off Fonthill Road, where he lived with his parents, three brothers and two sisters.
His family sat in the front pew at the church where Martin received his First Communion aged eight.
Placards propped up by the altar said: “Why are you fighting to live if you are just living to fight?” and “Stop the violence”.
The service was led by Bishop Bernard Longley and Father David Ardagh-Walter. Speakers included CND vice-president Bruce Kent, who thanked those present for their support “before we walk together in solidarity with Martin’s family and friends and those who oppose violence”.
Among those who walked to the scene of the stabbing were friends from St Aloysius College in Archway, former classmates from Christ the King Primary School in Finsbury Park and hundreds of people who perhaps met the schoolboy just once but were touched by his kind manner.
Islington Mayor Councillor Barbara Smith, Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn and police borough commander Bob Carr addressed the crowd.
Martin’s younger brother Gerald made a plea for the community to unite and fight knife crime.
St Aloysius’ deputy head Danny Coyle said: “If anything can come out of this pain and tragedy and terror, we need to make sure there are no more weapons and this never happens on our streets again.”
Chief Superintendent Carr said: “It is the responsibility of us all to encourage our children to move away from this crazy knife-carrying culture.”
Yewande Osamein, 15, Noelle Kelly, 13, and Daisy McDonnell, 14, all friends from Christ the King, also spoke. Noelle said afterwards: “I was devastated about what happened and I’m still in shock. There’s a lot of anger but we hope people will now realise how stupid it is to carry knives.
“I last saw Martin a couple of days before he died and he was in a great mood. He had a really good upbringing and knew right from wrong. Martin would never follow the crowd.”
Following the speeches, Martin’s mother, Lorraine, helped light peace candles.
l Four accused, including a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, have appeared in court charged with the murder of Martin Dinnegan |
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