Family of Patrick Cronin killed in alleged coward punch mourn lost ‘heart and soul’

THE mother of a teen killed by an alleged coward punch said she didn’t know how to recover from losing “the heart and soul of our family”.

Patrick Cronin, a photo the family would like to be used

THE mother of a teen killed by an alleged coward punch said she didn’t know how to recover from losing “the heart and soul of our family”.

A 33-year-old Diamond Creek man, Andrew William Lee, was last night charged with the murder of Patrick Cronin.

Earlier, at a tearful gathering at the Lower Plenty Football Club with which Patrick played his first senior game just four days ago, Robyn Cronin said losing the baby of the family had “blown apart” their hearts.

“He’s given life to four other people and it was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” she said of the donation of his organs.

“And I could only do it because I know that’s what he would have done.”

Mrs Cronin, Patrick’s father Matt, brother Lucas and sister Emma said goodbye to the 19-year-old on Monday, when his life support was switched off.

The Cronin family, father Matt, mother Robyn, with siblings Lucas and Emma. Picture: Tony Gough

Hours after playing side by side with Lucas he was struck, allegedly from behind, while helping a friend in a brawl outside the Windy Mile bar.

“I’m forever grateful for that one game we got to play together,” Lucas said.

“He never missed a step on the footy field.”

A crowd of more than 200 at the club cried along with the Cronins as they shared their grief and their love for a talented young footballer — the baby of the family, who hated to be babied.

“Our hearts will forever be breaking for our beautiful boy,” Mr Cronin gasped, before breaking down in tears.

Mr Cronin wanted all of Patrick’s friends to know that he died from a coward’s punch, “a coward’s punch, that’s it, no more to be said about it.”

“It’s just, it’s just senseless.”

He recalled saying goodbye to the teenager at the hospital just the day before.

“He was just a beautiful boy, our beautiful baby boy,” Mr Cronin said.

“Only on Saturday he was talking to me about uni, his second year of physio.

“Just don’t forget to tell the people you love that you love them.”

Patrick Cronin.

Past AFL star and coach Terry Wallace, whose two sons played junior football with the Cronin brothers at Lower Plenty club affiliate Research, said the Cronins’ decision to donate their son’s organs was a testament to their generosity in the face of such devastation.

“We have got to educate our kids better and get education processes in place so this doesn’t keep happening,’’ he said.

“If this is happening to the Cronin family, it can happen to any family,” Wallace said.

“It’s a family that has done all the right things with the community and community sport — they are just loving people. Pat’s the victim and so are the Cronin family.”

The issue was especially close to Wallace as his former 3AW radio colleague and cricket great David Hookes in 2004 died after being punched once by a bouncer.

“All these years down the track we haven’t learnt enough of a lesson,’’ he said. “This has got to stop.

Boxer Danny Green, who founded the national Coward’s Punch Campaign, told the Herald Sun he was sickened by what had happened.

The four-time world champion wants the term “coward’s punch” enshrined in law.

In Victoria, an unexpected punch that takes a life attracts a mandatory 10 years’ jail.

On Monday, the Herald Sun reported it was understood the brawl involved men from Lower Plenty and Eltham football clubs.

Eltham Football Club has since stated its players were not involved.

Lower Plenty football manager Tony Newlands has said: “On behalf of the parents and the club, none of our players were involved in this brawl.’’

Originally published as Family of Patrick Cronin killed in alleged coward punch mourn lost ‘heart and soul’