Declan Laverty: Memorial walk to commemorate one-year anniversary of stabbing death

The Darwin community will come together on Saturday to mark the one-year anniversary of the stabbing death of BWS employee Declan Laverty, with mum Samara to meet with Lia Finocchiaro in the days beforehand.

Declan Laverty's memorial in Darwin. Picture: Supplied

Mourners, wellwishers, politicians and friends will descend on Darwin’s Jingili Water Gardens on Saturday afternoon for a memorial walk to commemorate the fast-approaching one-year anniversary of young bottle shop worker Declan Laverty’s stabbing death.

Mr Laverty’s mum Samara told the NT News she flew to Darwin on Wednesday afternoon in preparation for the Declan Laverty Memorial Walk – which she has stressed is an apolitical event.

“It’s a peaceful walk, not political, not a rally, to remember an amazing young kid who shouldn’t be gone,” Ms Laverty said.

Ms Laverty said she planned on saying a few brief words if a PA system could be organised, and urged attendees of the event, which commences at 4pm, could bring their dogs if they are socialised.

Declan Laverty. Picture: File

“Declan is known for his love of dogs. I’d like to see people bring their dogs down. And maybe an umbrella, too,” she said.

While the event is apolitical, Ms Laverty said she has invited politicians of all stripes to the gardens, although was disappointed that the governing Territory Labor Party had yet to respond, unlike the Country Liberal Party, NT Greens, and independents.

“It would be nice if they could acknowledge it and say yes or no. I have emailed pretty much everyone I can think of,” Ms Laverty said.

After the NT News sent inquiries to Labor, a spokeswoman confirmed Chief Minister Eva Lawler, Police Minister Brent Potter and Minister Joel Bowden would all be in attendance at the memorial walk.

Almost a thousand protesters turned out at Parliament House for Darwin's third rally against crime. Samara Laverty Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Ms Laverty plans on meeting with opposition leader Lia Finocchiaro in the days prior to the memorial walk, she confirmed.

The pair are set to discuss possible youth justice reforms the CLP may make if it forms government after the election later this year.

Next Tuesday will mark one year since Mr Laverty lost his life just minutes before finishing up his shift at BWS Airport Tavern Drive.

Jingili Water Gardens. Picture: City of Darwin

He was allegedly stabbed to death by Keith Kerinauia, aged 19 at the time, whose murder trial will be held in June.

The NT News previously reported that Mr Kerinauia’s legal team will argue the defendant acted in self-defence.

Ms Laverty said she had spent the past three days in tears as the awful milestone of her son’s death moves ever closer.

“I can still say this time last year he was alive, and in seven days I can’t say that anymore,” she said.