Garda appeal for calm following fatal stabbing of teenage boy

RONAN McGREEVY

Irish Times - Mon, Apr 05, 2010

"Local Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison said he was shocked by the details of the incident, having spoken to several witnesses.

He said there had not been many racist attacks, but racism did exist in the area. “Racism is something people have in their hearts,” he said.


RONAN McGREEVY

Irish Times - Mon, Apr 05, 2010

GARDAÍ HAVE appealed for calm in Tyrellstown, west Dublin, following the fatal stabbing of a teenager on Friday night.

Angry friends of Toyosi Shittabey (15), originally from Nigeria, smashed the windows of a car yesterday afternoon on their way back from a rally held in the teenager’s memory.

Garda spokesman Supt John Gilligan urged people in the area, one of the most ethnically diverse in Ireland, to “take a deep breath, take a step back and let the gardaí do their job”. Supt Gilligan said there was not a history of racial tension in the area, and he described the stabbing incident as “truly exceptional”.

Locals will gather at 1pm today to hold a rally at Hartstown Community School, where Toyosi was a third-year student. A candle-lit vigil is to be held this evening.

About 300 local people took part in a procession yesterday from Tyrellstown Plaza to Mount Eustace Crescent, where the stabbing occurred.

Tributes were paid to Toyosi and prayers were said at the scene during a rally at the spot where he was killed. The Nigerian ambassador, Dr Kemafo Nonyerem Chikwe, attended the rally.

A message was read out from President Mary McAleese expressing her condolences over the attack.

Tributes were also paid to Toyosi from Shelbourne Football Club. The youngster was on their books and he also played for Insaka-Ireland Football, the football club for African children in Ireland.

Several youngsters had to be restrained during the rally from attacking people they believed to be associated with the killing.

Toyosi and four of his friends were on their way back from the National Aquatic Centre on Good Friday night at about 8.10pm when the stabbing took place.

Local TD Joan Burton said the incident was not typical of the Tyrellstown area and she praised the “excellent relations” between Irish and non-Irish nationals who live in the area.

Local Fine Gael councillor Kieran Dennison said he was shocked by the details of the incident, having spoken to several witnesses.

He said there had not been many racist attacks, but racism did exist in the area. “Racism is something people have in their hearts,” he said.

However, Bobby Kuti (16), who was with Toyosi when he was killed, said they had been subjected to “loads” of racial abuse in the past.

“This is where we live,” he said. “He had been living here 11 years. We thought we were safe here. It is not like we went to some mad place where we weren’t supposed to go. It has gone too far.”

Patrick Kabangu (17) from Congo said: “Racism is hiding everywhere. It is in the schools. Everywhere in Ireland is racist, it is just being hidden. This country is crazy.”

Yesterday, Blanchardstown gardaí community liaison officer Sgt Vincent Connolly appealed for witnesses to continue coming forward with information.

“I just wish to say to the people, if they have anything to say to us, please call us,” he said. “We cannot do it without you.”

Anyone who may have witnessed these incidents, who may have information or who may have seen a Black Nissan Qashqai in the general area is asked to contact gardaí at Blanchardstown on 01-666 7000, the Garda confidential line on 1-800-666-111, or any Garda station.

© 2010 The Irish Times