The father of a “cherished” young man stabbed on the job has revealed his deep grief as friends and family gather to give the BWS worker a final send off.
Friends and family gathered to honour the life of Declan Laverty at his funeral in Gordonvale, 23km south of Cairns.
Mr Laverty was working at The Airport Tavern’s attached BWS in the Darwin suburb of Jingili earlier this month when he was allegedly attacked with a knife, with emergency services declaring him dead at the scene.
Police allege the man responsible fled in a vehicle. The 19-year-old man was arrested on Monday and charged with murder and aggravated robbery.
His father Damien gave an insight into their close bond, with the pair living together as “son and house-wife” before his death.
“Things I’m going to miss – he would just open the door, walk in and you’d just be sitting on the couch and he’d just need to [nod],” he said.
“That’s all he had to do.”
The “cheeky” and talented AFL player was remembered for the love he showed his friends and family.
“He did things his way, there were no shades of grey, you knew where you stood with him,” family friend Jane said.
“ You knew where you stood with him, if he loved you, he loved you with every single atom of his soul and body.
“If it didn’t work, he knew that too.”
Mr Laverty was being remembered as the “most dearly loved and cherished son of Samara & Damien” as well as a brother, uncle, godfather and “loved soulmate” of his partner Abbie.
Mourners were urged to wear black and yellow clothing as a way to honour the 20-year-old, as these were his favourite colours.
Mr Laverty’s death was described as “so very tragic, horrific and totally unforeseen” by celebrant Leisel Pinari, with the news spreading across the nation.
“This is not only heartbreaking for his family and friends, but please know that the whole community both within our far north region and also Darwin and beyond,” Ms Pinari said.
“This news has devastated so many people.”
His last act was to text his parents before his death.
“I love you mum, I’ve been stabbed,” was the last Samara Laverty heard from “her boy”.
“He was meant to come home soon for a visit,” Ms Laverty told The Cairns Post.
“My heart and soul are broken.”
She said his journey would “never be fulfilled”.
“He will never fall in love,” she said.
“He will never marry.
“He will never be a dad.
“His life, his future, our future have been completely stripped away.”
Mr Laverty’s father called radio station Mix 104.9 in the wake of his son’s death to reveal the extent of the violence he faced.
“He’s had a screwdriver pulled on him only a few weeks ago. One of the other staff members has been physically attacked and he couldn’t come back to work,” he told the radio station.
“They get attacked quite often at that particular one as far as I am aware.
“He was looking for another job. He just couldn’t handle it anymore.
“It’s getting very, very bad out there for everyone. Whether it’s my son or someone else, something needs to be done.”