Vic: Family pays tribute to boy fatally bashed at party
02 Nov 2008 7:09 PMVic: Family pays tribute to boy fatally bashed at party
MELBOURNE, Nov 2 AAP - The family of a Melbourne teenager fatally bashedat a party on Friday night say he was a "beautiful boy" who always made people happy.
The youth, named by the Nine Network as 16-year-old Kew High School studentJustin Galligan, was a guest at the party when he became involved in a fight involving partygoers and gatecrashers in a car park behind the house in North Balwyn, in Melbourne's east.
Justin, from the north-eastern suburb of Fairfield, had been on life support in Royal Melbourne Hospital after he failed to wake up at home yesterday morning.
He died about 4.30pm (AEDT) today, police said.
Detective Sergeant Graham Guy said the boy was one of about 15 people involved in a fight about 11.30pm (AEDT) on Friday.
He was knocked out by a punch but later regained consciousness and was driven home by a friend.
However, his parents were unable to rouse him the following morning and he was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Outside the hospital, his sister Siobhan Galligan spoke of her love for herbrother.
"He looked after me so much and he always made people happy," she told journalists.
His aunt, Kathy Neagle-Haupt, described Justin's death as "an absolute tragedy for the family".
"Justin was a beautiful boy who has lived his short 16 years to the full," she said.
Police today appealed to any of the 50 revellers at the party they had not interviewed to come forward.
"It's an absolute tragedy," Det Sgt Guy said.
He said a number of people were helping police with their inquiries.
AAP jrdjjmn=0A