Hundreds marched in memory of Reamonn Gormley through Blantyre

Oct 13 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

HUNDREDS of people gathered outside the Parkville on the morning of Saturday, February 5, in memory of murdered teenager Reamonn Gormley.

At 11am, organiser John Tierney, of Tyre Walk ‘n’ Rollers signalled the start of the march outside the Glasgow Road pub, just yards from the scene where Reamonn was brutally murdered.

The marchers – friends, family, politicians, anti-knife campaigners and many residents shocked by the Reamonn’s death – marched through the town united against knife crime and violence in the area.

They carried banners and placards bearing a picture of Reamonn’s smiling face and the words ‘Y.N.W.A (You Will Never Walk Alone).

Hundreds lined the street as the marchers walked through the town.

The walk ended where it began, at the Parkville.

There was then a minute’s applause followed by an emotional rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Reamonn’s friends. Many were left in tears at the emotional occasion.

Nineteen Chinese lanterns were released on the road outside the Parkville in memory of the tragic teenager.

Following the march, the anti-knife crime group Community For Change lead by John Tierney and Michelle McInally was set up.

The non-political group are calling for minimum mandatory sentences for people carrying and using knives and other offensive weapons.

John Tierney and Michelle McInally earlier this year signed the Advertiser’s Hammer The Knife Thugs petition which has collected more than 11,000 signatures.

Speaking after Monday’s High Court decision, John Tierney told the Advertiser that the group would continue their anti-knife campaign.

“It is a bit of closure for Reamonn’s family,” he said.

“Reamonn was an exceptional young man and you could see by the charity work that he had done.

“Reamonn Gormley was an inspiration to our anti-knife campaign and always will be.

“Reamonn was one of us, and we are proud that he was from Blantyre.

“His death had a huge impact on the community and you could see this by hundreds of people who took part in the memorial walk through the town in his memory and the other charity events that have taken place since taken place in his memory.

“People have united to show that Blantyre is not a bad place.

“Knife crime is a scourge on society and we will continue campaigning against it.”