Craig was an extremely personable and popular individual, whose death has touched the hearts of thousands of people throughout the world who knew him both socially and from a professional perspective.
Originally from Lanarkshire in Scotland UK, Craig was a very intelligent individual. After obtaining a degree, he started a career with international engineering firm Laing O’Rourke, where he was responsible for large projects abroad. He also worked for a long period of time in Dubai before moving to Australia, where he was based when he was murdered in Spain.
The dedicated Facebook appeal site, set up on 19th May 2013 exactly one year after Craig’s death, has reached millions of people throughout the world and contains some heart-wrenching quotes and messages of support from thousands of people who knew Craig and his family.
A few of these quotes very accurately describe Craig and the devastation his death has left behind. Cathal O’Rourke, Director of Craig’s employer’s Laing O’Rourke Australia, who continue to provide close liaison and support for his family, said:
“Craig first joined Laing O’Rourke as a Quantity Surveyor in the Scottish part of our business. Following a successful stint there, he got the chance to move to our Middle East region in Dubai, where he continued to make a good impression on everyone and built up his experience and professional standing.
He then transferred to our Australian hub to work on the Sydney Metro project. Over the course of the bid, he quickly settled into life in Sydney and made many fast and close friends. He was very bright with a great sense of humour; his contribution and reputation quickly grew and he became very popular with all of his colleagues. He was a talented young man with great potential and had a promising career ahead of him. His untimely death was a huge shock to all of us and he continues to be missed by everyone. We are determined to do all that we can to support his family as they try to come to terms with his death and to help find justice for him.”
Craig’s dad Ian’s life, and his late mum Antoinette’s life were torn apart by the loss of their dearly beloved son. After Craig’s death, Antoinette said:
“The only reminders I have now are the happy memories imprinted on my heart, and the last voicemail he left me telling me he loved me. The pain we feel every single moment of every single day is made so much worse knowing Craig’s killer is free to live their life as if they’ve done nothing wrong.”
Craig’s parents lighting candles where he died