Starsailor inspired by Jeremiah’s story
The story of Jeremiah Duggan, who was killed in mysterious circumstances on an German autobahn after attending a meeting of a far-right organisation, has been turned into a song by a Brit-pop band.
The student’s family only found out about Starsailor’s tune, Jeremiah, after hearing singer-songwriter James Walsh speaking about it last Thursday on a BBC Radio Five Live show.
Mr Walsh first found out about Duggan’s story when he listened to a radio interview with the 22-year-old’s mother, Erica, and Finchley and Golders Green MP Rudi Vis in 2004. “The thing that touched me the most was how random it was,” Mr Walsh told Radio Five Live’s Simon Mayo.
“He was a young Jewish lad who, like many people at the time, felt very strongly against the war in Iraq.
“Mum, I’m in deep trouble’, were the final words Mrs Duggan heard from her son only half-an-hour before his death, two years ago. Jeremiah, originally from Golders Green, who was studying at the Sorbonne in Paris, died one week after going to a LaRouche Youth Movement conference in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Jeremiah telephoned her in the early hours on the morning he died, saying he feared for his life.
The line was cut in the middle of this call and, 30 minutes later, he was found dead on the side of the motorway outside the town of Wiesbaden having been hit by three cars.
German authorities have never fully investigated what happened on the night he died and recorded a verdict of suicide, although this was rejected in a British inquest.
The family, who want the European Court of Human Rights to force a full investigation, has received the offer of two barristers and is now looking for an instructing solicitor.
“We all wept when we heard the song. It’s so beautiful,” Mrs Duggan said. “For me, the line Little one do not fear’ was very poignant, because when he rang me I didn’t have the chance to comfort him,” said Mrs Duggan. “I couldn’t help him.”
Mr Mayo had tried to put the Duggans in touch with Mr Walsh live on air but the band were touring and not available. The song features on their new album, On the Outside.
Jeremiah’s family and friends have organised a comedy night on November 13 to raise money for the Justice for Jeremiah Fund. Visit www.justiceforjeremiah.com for more information.