A PLAQUE has been unveiled at Asda to commemorate the life of Ian Kirwan who was fatally stabbed outside the supermarket in March 2022.
Asda staff presented the honorary plaque to Ian’s family and friends with local police, charity and council representatives in attendance to pay their respects.
Ian Kirwan was killed outside the store after confronting a group of young boys for their anti-social behaviour in the supermarket.
Ian Kirwan’s commemorative plaque. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3823005MMR2 www.buyphotos247.com
A boy, aged 15, was convicted of his murder and sentenced to a minimum of 14 years in prison.
The day was described by all as a chance for the community to come together to remember Ian and make a stand against knife crime in the area.
Joe Fitzpatrick, the best friend of Ian’s father, told the Standard: “Ian was a great guy, we miss him a lot. Today is a chance to come together in memory of Ian.
“It’s also a stand against knife crime, we need to educate youngsters about the dangers of carrying knives.”
A local chaplain prayed for Ian and his loved ones before asking everyone to join him in a minute’s silence in memory of Ian.
Police inspector, Rich Field told the Standard: “The incident has had a tragic influence on the community.
“There has been lots of proactive educational input in schools and close partnership work with people like Pete Martin to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
“Crimes of this type are relatively rare but when they do happen it creates shock waves. As a police inspector I do everything I can to make sure knife crime remains low.”
The plaque also pays tribute to the paramedics, and Asda colleagues and customers who ‘heroically’ tried to save Ian’s life.
Pete Martin, founder of Redditch Self Defence Charity told the Standard: “An incident like this brings to the forefront the impacts of knife crime.
“Although knife crime is comparatively low in Redditch compared to other regions, in the 15 years I’ve been speaking to children about the dangers, the problem seems more common than ever.
“We still need to remove the fear from youngsters who are carrying knives. We’re now looking at going into primary schools to catch it earlier.”
Ben Walsh, Asda store manager told the Standard: “The store is community focused and it’s brilliant the business has allowed us to honour Ian’s memory and pay our respects.”
Joe Baker, Labour leader at Redditch Borough Council, told the Standard: “Ian and his family have been members of Labour for many years and our thoughts are always with his family and friends.
“It was a nice gesture to come together today to first of all remember Ian, a man whom his family miss dearly and reflect upon the terrible tragedy of people carrying knives and using them in unnecessary ways that cost the life of Ian.”
Emma Marshall, Conservative Redditch Borough Councillor, told the Standard: “Ian is a member of our community and deserves to be remembered and honoured.
“This has rocked his whole family and the community and we want to make sure something like this doesn’t happen again.
“We’re lucky as a community to be strong and we need to work together.”
Two other boys, aged 14 and 15 were given a two year youth rehabilitation order for violent disorder and a 16-year-old was handed a two year youth rehabilitation order for violent disorder and possession of a knife following the murder trial.
None of the boys sentenced were named for legal reasons.
