A memorial to Olympic bronze medallist boxer Darren Sutherland is to be erected in his hometown, Navan Mayor Joe Riley said today.
Mr Sutherland (27) was found dead in his south London flat by his promoter and friend Frank Maloney on September 14th 2009.
He won a middleweight bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Councillors in his hometown of Navan, Co Meath, unanimously agreed a memorial plaque to the boxer should be placed in the riverside setting of Andy Brennan Park.
“He is seen as part of Navan. He achieved a lot in his short life,” Mr Riley said.
“The way that his life ended is very sad but it cannot overshadow what he achieved.”
Mr Riley is to meet with the boxer’s parents, Tony and Linda, and the rest of the Sutherland family to discuss details of the design of the memorial which will be erected some time in 2010.
Mr Sutherland won his first four professional bouts after switching weights to become a super middleweight after the Olympics.
PA