Touching tribute for James Callahan at Stockton breakwall, stabbed to death at Hamilton

As the sun went down on Sunday night, friends and family made the long walk down Stockton breakwall to remember and pay respects to James Callahan after the 22-year-old was violently stabbed to death.

Mourners gathered at Stockton breakwall on Sunday to remember James Callahan who was stabbed and killed in Hamilton. Picture: Adam Yip

As the sun slowly set on a warm evening in Newcastle against a backdrop of fishermen casting their lines, groups of mourners walked the long breakwall that was once the happy place of a young man lost too soon.

It was a place 22-year-old James Callahan loved to spend time – a keen and talented fisherman, always by the water’s side, and savouring every minute.

More than 100 family and friends gathered at the Stockton breakwall on Sunday night, some bringing flowers to remember a kind and caring soul who was tragically stabbed to death when he went for a meal after work at Beaumont St, Hamilton on November 17.

Police allege the 22-year-old was attacked because he had made a comment to a group of people about littering.

Sally Callahan, mother of James Callahan, hugs a friend at the vigil. Picture: Adam Yip

James Callahan loved to fish and loved nature. Picture: Facebook

Mum and dad Sally and Pete Callahan paid tribute to their son as they hugged and reminisced with others about all the good times, overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of people who turned out to pay their respects.

Ms Callahan said James had a calm nature, was a giving person and she giggled as she spoke about how her son had “no filter”.

She said on down days he would watch fishing videos but would always love getting out in nature.

The devastating news so hard to understand, why her son had been a target.

“I just can’t make sense of it,” she said

Ms Callahan clutched a recent resume that her son had written which she said described him to a tee.

James was much loved by his friends and family and loved to fish, bushwalk and camp. Credit: Facebook

Many mourners embraced as they remembered James at Stockton breakwall. Picture: Adam Yip

“When not engaged in my working endeavours, I spent most of my time out in the elements enjoying and appreciating our natural world; to the tone of bushwalking, fishing, camping and any other recreational activities,” it wrote.

“This is where I find peace and mindfulness, assisting in a positive perspective.

“My passion for the outdoors has introduced many unique skills such as effectively engaging in wildlife interactions, spotting and tracking (pattern recognition, evidential analysis) identification and classification of native and non native species.”

Pete Callahan’s smile widened as he talked about his son, describing him as somewhat of an environmentalist who loved life and couldn’t get enough of nature.

Around 100 people attended. Picture: Adam Yip

His soccer coach also laughing about how he would say it how it was, but was always respectful and a lovely young man.

Mr Callahan had finished work early on that Sunday morning when he went to have a meal in Beaumont St.

Police allege as a result of a comment he made, he was attacked by a group of people on two occasions, the second time being fatal.

“Shocking” footage emerged showing a man being attacked by a group of people in a violent altercation that began on the footpath and spilled out onto the road, which showed a man being punched and chased.

Following an investigation Strike Force Mannum detectives arrested North Lambton man Jason Talbot, 27, at Waratah Police Station the following day while Alivia Muriel Briggs, 33, was arrested at a bus stop in Bankstown hours later.

Both were charged with murder and neither has made a bid for bail.

Police described the alleged murder as “distressing” as they continue to investigate the possibility others were involved in the “terribly tragic incident”.

Anyone with further information or video relevant to the case has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.