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Tragic Jack’s memory to live on
By Elaine Sheridan
A memorial plaque will be unveiled this week at the spot where an Irish
teenager was last seen alive two years ago.
Jack MacLeod from Leamington Spa went missing after a night out with friends
on December 4, 2005 and was last seen on the riverbank by Adelaide Road
Bridge.
A month later on January 3 the 17-year-old’s body was found several
hundred yards downstream.
Now his family, whose Irish roots lie in Co. Cork, want to unveil the
plaque and plant flowers in tribute to their beloved son.
Scores of friends and relatives are due to honour the popular teenager’s
anniversary at a special memorial taking place on Sunday, December 2 at
3pm by the bridge in Adelaide Road.
A family friend said: “The family feel that having a plague placed
exactly here is the ideal spot.
“It’s a place that’s easier for people to come and pay
their respects to Jack whenever they feel like it.
“The cemetery is not always ideal to get to.”
A bench will also be placed at the scene in honour of the young man where
friends can sit and take in the views of the River Leam which include
St. Peter’s Church and St. Patrick’s Club where the football-mad
Jack worked.
The whole town was in total shock when news of the youngster’s tragic
death hit the headlines.
At the time St. Patrick’s Club chairman Brian Thurlow said: “Jack
was one of the most popular members ever to set foot inside our club.
“He was a wonderful example of a person intensely proud of his Irish
roots.
“When he left the club he was his usual cheery self — none
of us dreamt we would never see him again.”
An examination into the death of Jack MacLeod —also known as Jack
Fisher — proved inconclusive and no one has been charged in connection
with the student’s death.
An independent report into the police’s handling of the case has
never been made public, despite repeated requests.
The inquest was dramatically delayed in March when it emerged Warwickshire
Police had failed to hand over nine witness statements and a key interview
transcript.
It was adjourned again in April because the missing material had still
not been submitted.
The inquest then reopened briefly in October when Warwickshire coroner
Michael Coker held a short hearing before adjourning.
The date of the next hearing has not been set but is expected to start
soon. |
