Racism probe after teenager stabbed to death
A teenage boy stabbed to death may have been attacked following a row sparked by racist jibes, it was disclosed tonight.
Toyosi Shittabey, 15, was taken to hospital after the attack in Tyrrelstown, north-west Dublin, shortly after 7pm yesterday but died a short time later.
Two brothers, aged in their 20s and 30s, were arrested shortly after the killing which happened at Boulevard Mount Eustace.
The teenager was of Nigerian descent but had been living in Ireland for some years.
A garda spokesman said: “I don’t think anyone went out there to kill anyone. But things got out of hand and then someone was killed.
“This is certainly an incident which we are addressing from the point of view of is it racist based.”
Detectives believe an altercation took place outside a house at Mount Garrett Rise.
A short time later, around 150 yards away, Toyosi was stabbed in the chest.
He was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown but died around an hour later.
Gardaí sealed off the area and forensic officers combed the crime scene.
Officers say they are concerned about tensions in the area and the Garda Racial and Intercultural Office is working in the locality.
Shocked and devastated locals left flowers at the scene.
Labour councillor Patrick Nulty said his thoughts were with the teenager’s family.
“It’s a dreadful tragedy for someone so young to die in such a horrific way,” he said.
“A crime as serious as this is always shocking and it’s not something that any community expects to happen.
“Hopefully the gardaí will conduct a thorough investigation and whoever committed the crime will be brought to justice.”
Detectives are asking for anyone who may have seen a black Nissan Qashqai around Mount Garrett Rise and Boulevard Mount Eustace last night to come forward.
Fianna Fáil councillor David McGuinness said around 50% of Tyrrelstown would be foreign nationals, but the community was working hard to live together.
“I find it in some way sad that when an incident happens the first question asked is it do with racism,” he said.
“There’s great work being done in the area by the residents association to try and generate community spirit among everyone. So there’s a lot of work going on to try and not allow a situation to develop where that could happen.”
The two arrested men are being held in Blanchardstown Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
