Traveller beaten to death in ‘racially motivated assault’

John Breslin

Johnny Delaney, who would have been 16 tomorrow, died after he was jumped on and beaten as he walked through a park on Merseyside,

Liverpool. His family have spoken of how they intend to bring his body back to Ireland for burial. And they claim he was beaten to death because he spoke with a distinctive Irish Traveller accent.

Police in Cheshire said they would not comment on claims the attack was racially motivated, as criminal proceedings are active.

The 15-year-old died in hospital after being kicked, beaten and stamped on by a number of people.

Travellers’ representatives here described the fatal attack as an extreme example of what is a common occurrence.

Martin Collins, of Pavee Point, said: “racially motivated crimes against Travellers take place. We have been informed of countless situations where Travellers have been attacked and quite clearly, it’s racially motivated.”

Attacks range from spitting, to caravans being damaged, to violent assaults, Mr Collins said. “I don’t think people should be surprised that someone has died,” he added, though deaths of Travellers at the hands of settled people are rare, compared to those that happen in feuds between families.

Mr Collins urged Travellers to report to gardaí attacks they believe to be racially motivated. The activist also believes courts should, where an attack is deemed to be racist, take that into account and add to the sentence.

Johnny Delaney’s aunt Mary Doran is convinced his murder was racist.

“These thugs killed Johnny because he spoke with an Irish accent.”

Mrs Doran said his mother Winifred and father Patrick were devastated by the loss of their young son.

“Johnny has never been in trouble with the police. He was a slim lad who would not hurt a fly.”

It took a number of days to contact all the members of his extended family, both in England and Ireland.

The 15-year-old lived with his mother and father, his two brothers and four sisters, in a halting site close to the docks in Liverpool.

They had moved there in December 2001 from north Wales.

Johnny’s 17-year-old brother Michael told the London Guardian newspaper of another incident when he and others were attacked at a fairground.

Two youths, aged 15 and 16, have been charged in connection with the murder of Johnny Delaney.

Three others arrested as part of the investigation were released without charge.