Declan Flynn (1951-1982)

Logo

Family were interviewed on RTE radio this morning. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declan_Flynn
There was reference to a similar incident in the same year of a Peter Roach, Blarney Street, Cork, Sep 1982. Does anyone have more info? Thanks

Pixel Eater

While I was vaguely familiar with this incident, I read up on it just the other day. Absolutely shocking that the murders were giving suspended sentences! One of the perpetrators, a few years later, went on to rape a seven month pregnant woman; giving her the option of being raped or kicked in the stomach. Lovely fellow.

Ten of Swords

They must have been talking about John Roach, a hotel porter stabbed to death in September 1982 after making advances at Michael O'Connor.



This image from the Irish Independent on June 17th 1983 (preserved by the Irish Queer Archive) shows Michael O'Connor was sentenced to 5 years for manslaughter, not murder

JupiterKid

It was a truly horrible time to be LGBT in Ireland. A culture not just of rampant homophobia but general misery and sexual repression for pretty much everyone thanks to certain religious denomination...(except for the well-connected and privileged). Of course there was also the murder of gay RTÉ producer Charles Self. I wasn’t aware of the Cork city killing but that again looks like a pretty lenient sentence. The perpetrator was probably deep in the closet himself.

Gay men’s lives were worth little in the eyes of the judiciary of the time.

But as I’ve opined before, Declan’s murder and the scandalous judicial outcome was not in vain - 1983 marked the first gay pride protest and began a long process of change which is reflected in the tolerant, modern Ireland of today.

Some posts and threads on some “other” forums here show that things are far from perfect and there is still a way to go but we have come a long way since 1982.

Ten of Swords

UK based Irish film maker making a short movie about Declan Flynn, called Fairview park.

If it works out and is well made I'd say it'll be a headliner at the next Gaze

Her website

https://www.elliehodgettsfilms.com/about-1-4

Greenlit campaign for funding (goal achieved) - contains a teaser trailer

https://greenlit.com/project/fairview-park