Ben Smyth was as bright, artistic and enthusiastic a 14-year-old boy as any other in the working-class community of Killinarden in west Tallaght, Co Dublin.
When he was killed by another boy in August last year his father, Peter, determined that the terrible event should not pass without some kind of suitable memorial - a memorial which might wrench some kind of sense from the senselessness of Ben's death.
Peter, a well known anti-drugs activist and community worker in west Tallaght, has established the Ben Smyth Memorial Scholarship Fund. This, he says, will be used to enable young people who might not otherwise have the financial means to access third-level education. "Ben was into arts and very interested in creating things," remembers Peter. "So the fund will be used to give financial help to help students who want to study arts and humanities."
A number of fundraising events have been held, including a sale of paintings and artworks held in the Royal Hospital in Donnybrook which raised some £3,000. The fund, Peter says, is approaching £10,000, though he stresses he has no part in its management. The trustees are currently establishing the criteria according to which money will be allocated next September.
Further details from Gill Evans (tel: (01) 668 1951) or Fiona McGivern on (tel: (01) 462 1989). Kitty Holland
