Barry, whose 18-year-old Christopher was killed at Hillsborough, was described as a "pillar" of the fight for justice
Barry Devonside, whose teenage son Christopher, 18, was killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
Barry Devonside, whose teenage son Christopher, 18, was killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.
(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)
Tributes have been paid to an "extraordinary man" who was a "pillar" of the Hillsborough justice movement. Barry Devonside lost his 18-year-old son Christopher in the 1989 disaster and became a crucial figure in uncovering the truth of what happened in the face of lies and smears from the establishment.
Mr Devonside, died earlier this month and was laid to rest in his native Formby yesterday (Wednesday). He was today described by fellow campaigners as a "tenacious" figure in the campaign that would eventually result in an inquest jury determining that the 97 Liverpool fans who died on the day of the FA Cup semi-final in 1989 were unlawfully killed.
Friend and fellow campaigner Steve Kelly, whose brother Michael was killed at Hillsborough, spoke fondly of an "extraordinary man" who he was "proud to campaign alongside."
Mr Kelly said: "Barry was such a tenacious man. He attended every day of every inquest, every trial - even on the days we didn't need to be there, he was there and we all learnt a lot from him - he was fantastic.
"The lawyers feared him, he knew more than them, he served as a magistrate so he knew the law and he believed in it - sadly the law let him down."
Mr Kelly added: "When it came to Hillsborough, Barry was the ultimate example, the pinnacle, of what the government and everyone else underestimated about the families. He did this all out of love, the love for his son Christopher, and he never gave up.
"Barry led the charge. If you needed to go into the trenches, he was the person you wanted by your side ands I was very proud to be alongside him in the campaign."
Charlotte Hennessy, whose dad James was one of those killed in the tragedy, also paid a moving tribute to Mr Devonside..
Speaking to the ECHO, Ms Hennessy added: "He was one of the backbones of the fight, a pillar of the campaign - I have never known someone who could reel off so many dates, times, references - he had the memory of an elephant. He was so organised and had so many files in relation to Hillsborough.
Barry Devonside outside Warrington Coroner's Court during the new Hillsborough inquests
Barry Devonside outside Warrington Coroner's Court during the new Hillsborough inquests
"He was very, very determined in the fight for truth and justice. He was a really big character.
"He attended every single day of the inquests, to the point where we were concerned for his health. He was so caring towards everyone else but we would say he needed to look after himself - but he would not have a day off."
Tributes were also paid to Mr Devonside by Nicola Brook, legal director at Broudie Jackson Canter, who posted on X yesterday (Wednesday) to state: "Today we said our final goodbyes to this absolute legend.
"Barry Devonside lost his son Christopher in the Hillsborough Disaster and from that day on he never stopped fighting for justice. Not only for the victims who lost their lives but also for the survivors and the innocent fans who were disgracefully lied about and blamed. I had the honour of meeting Barry for the first time in 2013 and it has been a privilege to have known him."
In 2019, Mr Devonside told spoke at the retrial of Hillsborough match commander David Duckinfield and explained how he had travelled to the 1989 FA Cup semi-final with his son, but that they were sat in different parts of Hillsborough Stadium and he could only watch on as the tragedy in Leppings Lane unfolded.
He spoke of his frantic search for his son in the aftermath of the disaster. He visited two hospitals and a boys' club before having to identify Christopher's body in the stadium's gym.
Mr Devonside was known as a true family man and leaves behind his beloved wife, daughter and wider family.
Mr Kelly added: "All our thoughts go out to Barry's family, he did his very best and we will never see the likes of him again."