Ice hockey star killed himself

Aug 13 2008 by Neil Mckay, Journal

A TALENTED and popular North East ice hockey player killed himself a few months after splitting up with the mother of his two children.

Ian Defty, 28, was found hanging at his home in John Street, Meadowfield, Durham, in April, an inquest heard yesterday.

The former Newcastle Vipers, Whitley Bay and Durham defender had split with partner Antonia Mulhall a few months before he killed himself.

Ms Mulhall told the hearing at Spennymoor that Mr Defty had called around to her house uninvited on the night before he was found hanging.

The couple had argued and Ms Mulhall said Mr Defty had threatened to harm or kill himself.

She added: “I never thought for a moment that he would do something like that.”

She said he had sent her text messages containing similar threats at 4am on April 5, the day his body was discovered by relatives, but she had not read them at the time because she was asleep.

Toxicology tests showed he had drunk the equivalent of twice the legal drink-driving amount of alcohol when his body was found.

Former ice-hockey team-mates Paddy O’Connor and Gary Barr were among two dozen friends and relatives who attended the hearing, when they heard coroner Andrew Tweddle record that Mr Defty took his own life. The pair are organising a testimonial tournament in memory of Mr Defty, who was also involved with the Great Britain squad for many years and considered his proudest moment to be winning a gold medal as assistant captain of the under-19 Great Britain squad in the European championships.

Mr O’Connor, a former Newcastle Vipers chairman, said Mr Defty also worked for his telecommunications company as an operations manager.

“He was somebody who gave 100% in his job and also on the ice, that was the type of lad he was and he is a huge miss.

“Tickets are selling well for the memorial tournament, with buses coming to Newcastle from Dumfries and Hull, where he also played ice hockey.

“We are organising this game for Ian’s two children, to raise money for them.”

The Ian Defty Memorial Trophy tournament will be played at Newcastle Arena on Wednesday, August 27 – doors open at 6.15pm.

Tickets are available from Newcastle Arena’s box office and the Breakout ice hockey shop in Gilesgate, Durham, £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under 12.