Final farewell for Declan Laverty at Darwin memorial service

Family and friends of Declan Laverty, who was allegedly killed while working at a Darwin bottle shop, will have another chance to bid farewell at a Top End memorial. Read all the details.

The Top End community is set to rally behind Declan Laverty’s family once more at a memorial this weekend.

The service will take place at the Darwin Convention Centre from 10am-11am Saturday, April 22.

Details for the memorial were first revealed at an anti-crime rally on Saturday, where organisers said the memorial’s attendance would be limited to 600 ticketholders.

Samara and Bridget Laverty decorate the casket of Declan Laverty with flower petals at his funeral service held at Gordonvale, Cairns. Mr Laverty, 20, was stabbed to death while working at a Darwin bottle shop on 19 March, 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mother Samara Laverty took to Facebook to invite the Darwin community to attend her son’s memorial.

“We have received so much support from the community that we want to give back and say thank you toe the community for the support,” she wrote.

“It’s been overwhelming and amazing.

She asked anyone impacted by the tragic death of her son on March 19 to attend.

“Again, thank you, Darwin, from myself and my family,” Ms Laverty said.

Damian Crook will remember his son, Declan Laverty, for his old soul and true friendship.

A funeral for the allegedly murdered bottle shop worker was held in Cairns on March 31.

About 100 family and friends attended the service while about 2500 people tuned in to the funeral livestream to farewell the 20-year-old.

The crowd formed a sea of black and yellow in honour of Declan’s love for the Richmond Tigers.

The service featured a touching tribute from former Richmond star Trent Cotchin.

“Lots of love from the Tigers family,” Mr Cotchin said in a video message.

“I know today will be a really challenging time … we’re thinking of you.”

Damian Crook speaks at the funeral of his son Declan Laverty. Mr Laverty, 20, was stabbed to death while working at a Darwin bottle shop on 19 March, 2023. Picture: Brendan Radke

Father Damian Crook remembered his son as his “best mate”.

“We lived together as housemate and housewife,” Mr Crook joked.

“As you do, Declan and I had plans; he was going to get his motorcycle licence and one day we were going to travel Route 66.”

Originally published as Final farewell for Declan Laverty at Darwin memorial service