Vigil for student was a show of love, parents say

The parents of a 21-year-old film student who was stabbed to death on Primrose Hill have said they want his legacy to be one of love, compassion and understanding.

More than 1,000 people gathered at the north London beauty spot on Sunday for a vigil in memory of Finbar Sullivan, known to friends and family as Finn.

His parents, Chris Sullivan and Leah Seresin, said the vigil had been organised by his friends and had grown into a huge show of love.

Three men have been charged with murder and a fourth man has been charged with grievous bodily harm, violent disorder and possession of a knife, after Finbar died on 7 April.

Seresin described her son as her "prince of light".

"He was kind, bright, feisty, tricky at times, as most young men are, but fundamentally full of compassion and curiosity," she said.

"He had friends from every colour, creed, nation and class. Everyone who met him fell in love with him."

Sullivan said his son was "wise above his years" and someone who always made time for others.

"If you wanted help, he was there in a minute," he said.

"He believed in doing to others as you would have done to yourself. He believed in manners. He was a very loving, gentle person."

The vigil was held at the site of the attack and attended by more than 1,000 people, mainly friends, family and members of the wider community.

Sullivan said it was "a beautiful indication of how loved he was".

"For me, I position it more as a demonstration for love against hate, against knife crime," he said.

Seresin said Finbar had been creative, ambitious and funny, with an interest in film, music and business.

"He was very much of his generation," she said.

"They just went out and made movies. They weren't waiting for the money man or the producer. They were go-getters."

She said she did not want hatred to come from her son's death.

"I want understanding. I want love to come from this," she said.

"When you prick your finger, we're all the same colour. It doesn't matter what colour, what sexuality.

"I want his legacy to be about heralding these beautiful young people and giving them respect."

Speaking about their grief, Sullivan said the family were still struggling to accept what had happened.

"I wake up every morning and the mornings are the worst, because for that moment it's not happened. And then the horror hits you," she said.

Ms Seresin added: "There is no dealing with it day to day. It's a wave. You go through it. You don't accept it.

"My love goes out to anyone who has been in my position. I would not wish this on my worst enemy."

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