TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who died outside Chester Crown Court while protesting about an ongoing trial of a group of Pro-Palestinian protestors who scaled a Runcorn factory.
Chris Byrne, 81, had a heart attack outside the courthouse earlier this month while taking part in a protest urging the court to drop the charges on against the protestors.
Chris was born in Liverpool but had since lived in Ellesmere Port for more than 50 years along with his family and wife Val.
Activist for the T&GWU and Unite union for years while he worked, he joined up with Chester friends of Palestine through friends at a Chester cycling group he joined after retirement. This led to Chris, while in his 70s, cycling from London to Paris as part of the Big Ride for Palestine.
Son Peter said that his dad “died with his banner in his hand, and that’s how he’d want to go”.
Peter added that his mother, who has a degenerative eye disease, had spent months making a Palestinian scarf for Chris to wear at protests. The day he died was his first wearing it since it was completed, and he died with his scarf wrapped around his neck.
The family were full of thanks for the Chester security guard, who had tried to resuscitate him and carried out CPR.
After someone had thrown out the scarf, the security guard Mark went through the bins and found it for the family after being told of its sentimental value.
Chester Friends of Palestine organised the protest, following the ongoing trial of Elizabeth Collett, Charlie Blue-Thomas, and Michael Lynch-White where they stand accused of causing £4 million in damages.
Collett was acquited, whilst Blue-Thomas and Lynch-White were found guilty and will be sentenced May 5.
The group scaled the roof of the Heroux Devtek factory in Runcorn, claiming that the site produces landing gear for Elbit drones which have been used in the Israeli conflict in Gaza. These drone strikes are claimed to have taken the lives of several innocent Palestinians.
The protest group released a statement saying “It is with a heavy heart we share the sad news that our fellow comrade, Chris Byrne sadly passed away yesterday morning.
“Chris arrived at Chester Crown Court to show his support for three Palestine Action activists who are currently on trial and suffered a heart attack. He was taken to the Countess of Chester hospital, where he later died.
“Chris was a committed supportive person with a kind and gentle soul, who will be deeply missed by all.
“His presence at the court yesterday illustrates his support for Palestine to the end.
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Peter explained his dad’s commitment to supporting causes he believed in, saying that “his fight for justice was unwavering.”
Tributes have poured in for the man, beloved by family and friends.
Ray from Chester Friends of Palestine, said of Chris: “I am very sorry to read that a good comrade, Chris Byrne, from Ellesmere Port, passed away.
“In the true spirit of a life-long activist Chris sadly suffered a heart attack while attending the Chester Friends of Palestine protest, at Chester Crown Court
“The movement has lost a solid and committed comrade.”
A friend of the family Beth said: “A horrible shock. He was such a faithful campaigner on Palestine. We will remember him fondly.”
Update: A previous version of this story had Chris' wife mistakenly listed as Jane, this was an error and has been amended in the updated copy.
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