Madness star Graham “Suggs” McPherson sang his band’s classic It Must Be Love as balloons floated into the evening sky at a vigil for a 21‑year‑old filmmaking student stabbed to death on Primrose Hill.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the viewing point on Sunday evening to remember Finbar Sullivan, who was fatally wounded during a fight in the north London park on 7 April. Dozens of candles and bunches of flowers were placed at the gates, alongside pictures of the young man known to his friends as “Fin”. His favourite songs were sung and a minute’s silence was held.
Famous Faces at the Vigil
The crowd included some of British music’s best‑known names. Organisers said Paul Weller, Dexys Midnight Runners frontman Kevin Rowland, Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie and Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock were among those who turned out to pay their respects alongside Finbar’s family and friends.
Finbar’s father, Chris Sullivan – the club promoter who founded the iconic Wag Club in London and fronted the band Blue Rondo à la Turk – addressed the gathering. “This is subsequent to my son being stabbed very near this spot to death … on the 7th April,” he said. “We decided to have a little tribute to him and get all these people together. I’m so impressed to see the diaspora of people, ages, races, colours and creeds, and they did us proud. So I think Finbar’s legacy should be that, unity and love and peace.”
The Victim’s Life and Legacy
Finbar Sullivan was a student at the London Screen Academy, where the principal, Sam Summerson, later described him as “a kind, thoughtful, and valued member” of the school and “a delight to have in class”. According to his father, he had gone to Primrose Hill that evening to test a new camera he had received for his 21st birthday. He harboured ambitions of following in the footsteps of his grandfather, the acclaimed cinematographer Michael Seresin, whose credits include Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Rambo III, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Finbar, who worked as a music‑video director under the name “Sully Shot It” and “Sully Studio Sessions”, had recently collaborated with Joe Corré, the son of Vivienne Westwood, on a film project. He also made videos for his father’s “Artists for Gaza” initiative. His father said they were about to start a company together. Friends described Finbar as “the light, the leader”.
Speaking after the vigil, Chris Sullivan – whose own mother is Leah, a brand ambassador for Seresin Estate winery – spoke of his deep grief. “He was all I ever thought about. So it’s like as if you have both your legs cut off – you know, you always remember they’re gone, and you never forget them, but it will always be difficult to deal with. I’m not expecting an easy journey.” He described his son as “full of jokes” and a “really loving person” who was “like a magnet for people”. He also expressed the hope that Finbar’s death would not be exploited by racists and that his son could become “an emblem or a mascot for this fight against hate”.
Charges and Investigation
Three men have been charged with Finbar’s murder. The Metropolitan Police named them as Ernest Boateng, 25; Alexis Bidace, 25; and Oliuwadamilola Ogunyankinnu, 27. A fourth man, Khalid Abdulqadir, 18, has been separately charged in relation to the same incident. According to court proceedings, Ogunyankinnu is accused of punching Finbar before kicking or stamping towards his head while he was on the ground. Bidace is alleged to have punched and kicked him, and Boateng is alleged to have kicked him, causing him to fall. Abdulqadir is charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a second alleged victim, as well as violent disorder and possession of a knife. That second victim, a man believed to be in his 20s, was found nearby on Regent’s Park Road with stab wounds; his injuries were not life‑threatening or life‑changing.
The fight was witnessed by numerous passers‑by, some of whom filmed it on mobile phones. Police have been analysing CCTV footage and appealing for any photos or videos that could assist the investigation. The stabbing has also reignited safety concerns on Primrose Hill, where another stabbing – of 16‑year‑old Harry Pitman – occurred on New Year’s Eve 2023, and where security cameras had not yet been installed at the time.
More than £25,000 has been raised for Finbar’s family since his death. His father has said he hopes to use part of the money to establish a charity that would support other families who have lost loved ones to violence and lack financial resources.
