Dublin teenager dies of stab wounds after brawl

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to a street fight in Ballyfermot, west Dublin, on Tuesday night in which a 19-year-old man was fatally stabbed.

Gavin Weldon, of Raheen Park, Ballyfermot, died in St James's Hospital after receiving stab wounds in a brawl outside an off-licence shortly before 10 pm.

Two local men who were arrested following the incident were released yesterday without charge. A file is being prepared on them for the Director of Public Prosecutions. The scene of the stabbing, in the centre of Ballyfermot village, was sealed off yesterday evening as forensic and technical examinations continued.

It is believed at least three people were involved in the fight, which broke out at the junction between Le Fanu Road and Ballyfermot Road at about 9.50 pm.

Gardaí said at least two people were seen running from the scene down Ballyfermot Road and on to Colepark Road following the incident, and they appealed for any pedestrians or motorists who may have seen something to come forward.

Early yesterday, gardaí arrested two men, aged 19 and 21. They were questioned for several hours before being released. An incident room has been set up at Ballyfermot Garda station and anyone with information is asked to phone 01 - 666 7200.

Labour TD for the area, Mary Upton, said the fatality was the third serious stabbing incident in her constituency in a fortnight.

Calling for "urgent Garda action" to curb violent assaults, she said: "Last week a man delivering a takeaway meal was stabbed and seriously wounded. Just days earlier a young man lost his life after being stabbed in the midst of a burglary attempt on his home while last month a French student was attacked in a horrific incident on Thomas Street.

"We have heard lots of rhetoric from Minister McDowell but little is being done to provide people on the ground with protection from violent crime."