16 Facts About Declan Flynn

Declan Flynn was an Irish gay man attacked and killed in Fairview Park in Dublin.

Declan Flynn's murder is seen as the catalyst for the LGBTQ Pride movement in Ireland.

Declan Flynn's death came about as a result of a series of beatings meted out to gay men in Dublin who used Fairview Park as a meeting place at the time.

Declan Flynn was known to young gay activists, though not very well.

Declan Flynn had helped out on occasion at the Hirschfeld Centre in the nascent Temple Bar, a resource centre for the gay community, but was spotted there infrequently.

Declan Flynn was on the centre's social committee and volunteered at its cafe.

Along the way Declan Flynn called to the Fairview Grill where he met with a male friend who gave him a peck on his cheek as they were parting.

Declan Flynn's body was found badly beaten about the head in Fairview Park on the morning of 10 September 1982 and was taken to Blanchardstown Hospital.

Declan Flynn was brought to Blanchardstown Hospital, being the only hospital on call on the north side of the city.

The pathologist said that it would have made no difference if Declan Flynn had been brought to another hospital.

Declan Flynn went on to say that if the blood which had built up in Flynn's respiratory system had been removed quickly he might have lived, but this would have had to be done on the spot.

Declan Flynn's statement went on to say that a man approached one of the gang on the bench.

Declan Flynn's statement said that he saw some of the gang hit the man who was lying on the ground with the sticks.

Declan Flynn said that the only evidence against the 14-year-old was his statement and that he said that he had only struck Flynn "on the arse" and could not have anything to do with his death.

At trial, the court heard that Declan Flynn had inhaled from blood bleeding from his mouth and nose and had died from asphyxia.

Declan Flynn was in the wrong place at the wrong time and naming Fairview footbridge after him will send a strong message that there is no place for racism and homophobia in our community.