Death of Kevin Gately

Who is Death of Kevin Gately?

Kevin Gately was a second year student of mathematics at the University of Warwick who died as a result of injuries received in the Red Lion Square disorders in London on 15 June 1974. He was the first person to die on a public political demonstration in Great Britain in 55 years.

Gately, who was 20 when he died was born in England to parents of Irish background. He was tall, well over six foot, and this led several newspapers of the time to allege that his death may have been the result of a blow from a mounted police truncheon. Neither a coroner's inquest nor a public inquiry headed by Lord Scarman were able to find conclusive evidence to prove or disprove this claim. A pathologist was able to establish a blow to his head caused the death.

However, fellow students who were with Gately said that he was injured after several charges and counter-charges involving mounted police, foot police and demonstrators. Clive Bloom, author of Violent London: 2,000 Years of Riots, Rebels and Revolts, asserts Kevin Gately "died under a police horse". Contemporary photos show Gately standing out above the crowd because of his exceptional height.

The Red Lion Square demonstration was an attempt to stop the National Front holding a meeting in London. The primary organisers were the London Area Council of Liberation, with participation from the International Marxist Group and the International Socialists. Gately was not a member of any political group or party. An assertion in the 22 June 2004 edition of the Warwick University student newspaper, the Boar, that he was a member of the International Marxist Group is mistaken.