Damian Crook shares fond memories of son Declan Laverty

Declan Laverty was an aspiring rapper and would want to be known for his music, his father says. Instead, it’s now hoped his legacy will be to help Stop the Violence in the Northern Territory.

Declan Laverty would want to be remembered as “Declan the rapper”, his heartbroken father says.

But Damian Crook is hopeful his son could instead be the face of a movement to make the Territory safer after the 20-year-old was allegedly murdered on Sunday.

Mr Crook said Declan would never have been interested in politics but would have fought for “what was right”.

“I don’t want anyone to be in the position that we are in - with the family and even Darwin itself,” he said.

“There’s people who are scared, who don’t want to go to work, that’s not fair.

“It is going to be a legacy.”

Damian Crook said his son, Declan Laverty, would want to be remembered as a rapper.

Mr Crook said the NT government’s first step should be making people feel safe again.

“I understand the way the law is, that everything can’t be made in one day – that’s fair enough,” he said.

Mr Crook said it was time for the Territory’s politicians to work together and produce a solution.

“They have to suck it up, put their big boy pants on and go, ‘let’s do this’ – not just for Declan, but for Darwin,” he said.

“What I say to the politicians is: come on boys, girls, let’s get something done.

“I understand that they have agendas, no problems.

“But this is very important to me.”

Declan Laverty was an old soul and would do anything to support his friends.

Mr Crook said his son was an old soul, a hard worker and a true friend.

“If he was your friend, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for you,” he said.

“He said, ‘I love you’, all the time – all my messages, every single time.”

Damian Crook will miss the little things the most about his son, Declan Laverty.

Mr Crook said he’d miss the little things the most, like Once Were Warriors-style head-nods when Declan entered a room or fistbumps as he left for work.

“He was a true 20-year-old, I think,” he said.

“Everyone has their days ... but he was very quick to forget – forgive and forget – and never bring it up again, because what’s the point?

“If you have something in your heart, what’s the point of keeping it there? Let it go and get on with life.”

Damian Crook enjoyed playing pool with son Declan Laverty (pictured).

Though Declan’s sporting passion lay in AFL and Mr Crook favoured rugby union, the duo loved playing pool and watching TV together.

“We loved a couple of shows – Snowfall, Godfather of Harlem, we liked those kinds of shows, we watched those religiously,” he said.

“He loved Sons of Anarchy, we sat down and we’ve watched all that.”

Originally published as Damian Crook shares fond memories of son Declan Laverty