Neighbours and friends mourn the loss of 'world-class person'

JUST OVER a year ago, the Balreask Manor estate in Navan was for a short time the centre of Irish sporting aspirations.

Three flags planted in the outside lawn – the Tricolour, the green and gold of Meath and the blue and sky blue of Dublin – marked the Sutherland family home as neighbours and an assembled media in the back garden gathered to watch Darren Sutherland’s greatest sporting moment: an Olympic semi-final bout against the eventual winner James DeGale.

Although he lost, it was regarded, even then as only a minor setback on the way to a brilliant professional career.

Yesterday, visitors including the local priest arrived all day to express their condolences.

Mr Sutherland said he would speak about the family’s loss, but only later in the week when his family have a chance to come terms with their loss. The deceased is also survived by his mother Linda, who works in the local Esso garage, and his two sisters Nicole and Shaneika.

Neighbours spoke of their shock at the news of the boxer’s death.

“The whole estate is devastated,” said next-door neighbour Toby Joyce. “This is a family and a national tragedy. The family are very popular around here. We were able to congratulate him in person after he won a bronze medal in Beijing, but unfortunately the council never got around to making him a freeman.”

Former local councillor John Duffy said the town had intended to make Sutherland a freeman of Navan, but unfortunately his commitments as a professional boxer made it difficult to find a time to hold the ceremony.

Martin Power, from the St Saviour’s Boxing Club in Dorset Street, described Sutherland as a “world-class person” and a “champion in every way”. Sutherland trained at St Saviour’s for 10 years and was one of the stars of the acclaimed documentary Saviours .

“He could have been anything in life . . . I thought he was one of the last people who would suffer from depression. He was a great talker, he had time for all the kids in the club. He had so much in his life to look forward to,” he said.