MAN FOUND DEAD IN CANAL
‘LOVELY’ FORMER MARKET WORKER STRUGGLED WITH ALCOHOL
THE man who was found dead in a canal was a ‘grafter’ who was well liked and worked for decades on the markets in Harpurhey.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Lawless was found near Redhill Street in the city centre by police early yesterday, hours after being released from hospital following a collapse.
The 51-year-old was well known around Harpurhey and worked for years on Conran Street market.
He was sleeping rough at the time of his death, and had struggled for many years with alcoholism after turning to drink to cope with the death of his father. His family has paid tribute to the ‘private and polite’ man, who grew up in Collyhurst.
Tony’s sister Diane Brennan said: “When the drink took hold of him he changed, but other than that he was all right.
“Everyone who knew him said he was very, very polite.
“He was lovely. When my dad died, he hit the bottle.”
Nephew Colin Brennan said: “He was a grafter when he put his mind to it, and a loving uncle.”
Diane last saw her brother on Christmas Day, when she accompanied him to North Manchester General Hospital in an ambulance after he collapsed.
She had assumed he was still there and she said she was not told otherwise – and was stunned when police contacted her to say he had been found dead.
Now the family is facing the daunting prospect of having to arrange Tony’s funeral. Diane added: “I know I can’t afford to pay for it and I don’t want him left in the morgue.”
Greater Manchester Police say an investigation has been launched into Tony’s death.
Inspector Mark Allinson, of GMP’s City of Manchester District, said: “This is a very sad morning. “We have recovered the body of a man from the canal, which is all the more difficult given the time of year.
“If anyone witnessed anything that could help with our inquiries, please contact police as soon as you can, quoting log number 679 of 26 December 2018.”