Death in Cork of Cameron Blair ~ Statement by Bishop Paul Colton

Church of Ireland – Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross

Statement by

Bishop Paul Colton

Following the Killing in Cork of

Cameron Blair

The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, Dr Paul Colton, has made the following statement in response to the killing in Cork of Cameron Blair:

As news was breaking on Thursday night 16th January of a stabbing incident on Bandon Road, a short distance from my own home here in Cork, I tweeted my message of horror and sent my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the young man, his family and friends.

I now know, this morning, that he was Cameron Blair, a young person from this Church of Ireland Diocese, who attended Bandon Grammar School, and who was confirmed by me in 2013 in Saint Peter’s Church, Bandon. He was well-known in his local community, as a rugby player and athlete. My wife Susan and I share the shock of everyone who lives in this neighbourhood, particularly the student community who are so much at the heart of this area.

Having had student children myself, I know well that a calamity such as this on a night out is every parent’s worst nightmare. My heart goes out to the Blair family, especially Cameron’s parents Noel and Kathy, and his brother Alan; as well as to Cameron’s wide circle of friends and peers, and indeed everyone who has been traumatised by what happened on the Bandon Road last night.

I know everyone in Cork and further afield is terribly shocked by Cameron’s death. On behalf of everyone living in this part of Cork, and on behalf of us all in the Church of Ireland community in Cork, Cloyne and Ross I send them our sincerest condolences.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Cameron Blair
Picture: Gerard McCarthy