NT bottle shop worker Declan Laverty remembered as ‘hero’

Mourners have gathered to celebrate the life of Territorian bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who has been remembered as a hero who ‘stood up for himself and others’.

Friends and family of stabbing victim Declan Laverty dressed in black and yellow to attend his funeral memorial service in Cairns. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emily Barker

Mourners celebrated the life of Northern Territory bottle shop worker Declan Laverty, who was remembered as a hero who “stood up for himself and others”.

Laverty, who was allegedly stabbed to death after refusing to serve alcohol, had his coffin draped in Richmond Tigers memorabilia, including a signed guernsey, scarf and Sherrin football.

Family and friends dressed in yellow and black in a nod to the 20-year-old’s favourite team.

Almost 1500 people tuned in on Friday to watch the ceremony online, held in Gordonsvale in far north Queensland. It opened to Eminem’s hit song Lose Yourself.

Friends and family of stabbing victim Declan Laverty are dressed in black and yellow in honour of Declan’s favourite AFL team, the Richmond Tigers, as they attend his funeral memorial service in Cairns. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emily Barker

Speaking through officiator Leisel Pisani, Laverty’s best friend Dimitris Cleanthous said he was a “hardworking, gentle young man”.

“I’ve only known Declan for a short time, but it was long enough to have an impact on me for the rest of my life,” he said.

“I was lucky enough to have witnessed him develop in so many ways, especially with his music, which he loved so much.”

Mr Cleanthous recalled how he and Laverty would shoot music videos, write songs together and “just do big” together.

“He was not afraid of taking on life headfirst,” Mr Cleanthous said. “As we know, from the 19th of March, 2023, Declan Laverty died protecting what was right and he should be a huge inspiration to the world, a real sign of courage.”

Close family friend Jane read Laverty’s eulogy, describing him as an “amazing” footballer.

Declan Laverty.

“From the moment he started daycare until the day he left school, he was a handful,” Jane said. “He did things his way, there were no shades of grey, you knew where you stood with him.”

Laverty’s father Damian Crook drew laughter from the crowd as he remembered his “best mate”.

Declan’s father Damian Crook. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emily Barker

“We lived together as son and housewife,” Mr Crook said. “He would sort out what music and what we wanted to watch, and I’d cook and clean.”

Mr Crook said he and his son wanted to travel America’s Route 66 on motorbikes together, and their goal was to buy a unit.

The family also thanked first responders who tried to save Laverty’s life, and the Darwin and Cairns communities who had showered the family with kindness.