Mural of boy, 11, whose parents were killed by joyriders to be unveiled
By Maureen Coleman
13 June 2006
A poignant mural of a schoolboy whose parents were killed by so-called ‘joyriders’ is to be unveiled in Belfast later today as part of an ongoing campaign against car crime.
The mural of Tyler Watson, whose parents Charmaine and Justin died in a crash which shocked Northern Ireland in July 1999, will be revealed at three locations in Belfast - in the Shankill area, the New Lodge and at the top of the Whiterock Road in the west of the city.
All three murals were painted by local artist Frank Quigley, who lost his son Rossa.
The mural in west Belfast will be slightly different to the other two, and although it depicts Tyler, it will be dedicated to Rossa.
The murals were commissioned by Families Bereaved Through Car Crime, who say that they are disappointed that, despite changes in law, not enough has been done to stamp out car crime.
The group campaigned successfully for new laws under Aggravated Vehicle Taking, but feel they are not being enforced.
Tommy Holland, a spokesman for the group, said: “The law is in place so we want to say that there is no longer any excuse.
“These people must be stopped so we can avoid more families being bereaved.
“What is the point of having these new laws if the judges won’t enforce them? We are not police or politicians. We feel that we have done as much as we can and it’s up to the people in power to do something.”
Tyler, who is now aged 11, was seriously injured in the crash which left his parents dead. The driver of the car, Dessie Savage, hit three other cars before ploughing into the Watson family’s car at 100mph.
Mr Holland said: “FBTCC once again ask the thousands of good people who supported us, the political and community representatives who listened and helped us along the way in our campaign to once again call for an end to death driving and for those involved to please stop now before they cause another death.”
