A motion put before council to erect a tablet in memory of William Dunlop within his fathers memorial garden, has been passed by Councillors.
The motion was put before the Leisure and Development Committee on Tuesday (10th September) evening, and read;
”That a memorial tablet, in memory of William Dunlop, be placed within his father, Robert Dunlop’s memorial garden in Ballymoney”.
Young William, son of the late Robert, was a member of the Ballymoney road racing Dunlop family.
After taking a short break from racing after the NW200 citing at the time family reasons, William returned just a couple of months later at the Skerries 100 in Ireland, where he tragically lost his life at just 32 during a practice lap on July 7 2018.
The motion originally put forward by Alderman Finlay and seconded by Cllr McAuley at a previous committee meeting, was passed with no objections this evening.
Committee member Cllr John McAuley spoke after the meeting saying;
“I was delighted and privileged to second this motion and look forward to William’s achievements being recognised by the Borough.
“William was not only a sporting superstar, but one of life’s great people in general who will never be forgotten.
“Further details of the design/plans of the memorial will be agreed by Ballymoney DEA councillors and myself along with council officers and more importantly William’s family, who were contacted and agreed to this proposal before we proceeded to council with it.”
Alderman John Finlay, the original proposer of the motion ask spoke to the Ballymoney Bubble following the vote saying;
“The Dunlop family have contributed much to Ballymoney and the Borough.
“William died tragically in July 2018, doing what he loved. Racing was in his blood, following in the footsteps of his father and Uncle, Joey Dunlop. “
I believe that it would be a fitting tribute to erect a Tablet in his honour in the Robert Dunlop Memorial Garden and I am requesting that Council undertake this in memory of William and his contribution to motorbike racing in Northern Ireland.”
