Remembering our Ryan
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Lisa Quinn, mother, Zara Quinn, sister and Megan Kinnaird, cousin, pictured during a lighting of lantern ceremony in memory of Ryan Quinn at the Coleraine Strand Jetty on Monday evening.
FAMILY and friends of Ryan Quinn, the Coleraine teenager who was killed by a train in 2009, gathered last Monday night to mark the third anniversary of his death. The event, which took place at Christie Park Jetty on the town's Strand Road, was organised by Dessi Kerr and Jack Wray, and attended by Ryan's mother, Lisa Kinnaird.
A number of lanterns were lit and released into the night sky, before a book, containing brief stories on the 14-year-old's life, was presented to Ms Kinnaird.
Entitled 'Ryan Quinn - The World's Greatest', Mr Kerr said the publication aimed to reassure his family that those who knew him would never forget him.
Speaking to the Chronicle, he said: "Ryan was tragically taken away from us and tonight's really about remembering him and celebrating his life.
“He had a lot of mates in the Coleraine area - right across the borough, in fact. Ryan was someone who touched the lives of everyone he knew."
Mr Kerr, a prominent youth worker in Coleraine, added: "We hope that by coming together tonight, and publishing this book, that his mum will know Ryan's memory continues to live on three years after he was killed."
Inquest
Last April, an inquest into the teenager's death heard how he had died from multiple injuries after being hit by a train. Prior to being struck by the Coleraine to Portrush train, it emerged that Ryan's knuckle had become jammed in a cattle grid.
Despite the train driver saying he had seen a figure running away from the lines minutes before Ryan was killed, no one has been prosecuted to date.
Although two people were suspected of his murder, the Public Prosecution Service told Ryan's family last year that there is currently insufficient evidence against the pair.
However, police continue to investigate the case, with the PPS saying it will review its decision not to prosecute those named in a file should new evidence become available.
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