Fatal street battle may have been planned, say gardai

Gardaí investigating what they described as a "vicious" street battle in Dublin early yesterday, in which a Chinese man died and two others were seriously injured, believe the incident may have been planned.

The dead man, who has yet to be identified, received a fatal stab wound to the neck. He was found in a pool of blood on a pavement off O'Connell Street and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mater Hospital.

The two injured men also received stab wounds and are recovering in the Mater and St James's Hospitals.

Up to 50 men, all believed to be members of the Chinese community, were involved in the melee.

They were said to have walked without incident from The Parnell Mooney pub in Parnell Street, in which they had been socialising during the evening, to the corner of O'Connell and Cathal Brugha Streets where, at around 1.30 a.m., they split into two groups and began fighting.

Gardaí arrived within minutes and recovered nine types of knives, machetes and cleavers as well as a Walter PPK pistol, which they believe was not fired.

Chief Supt Al McHugh, who is leading the investigation, said the array of weapons indicated that the people involved came prepared. He added that the manner in which the "combat" came about further indicated planning.

Six people were arrested, and four of them appeared in court yesterday, charged with offences under the Public Order and Aliens Acts. The other two were released.

The State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, conducted a post-mortem on the dead man, who was said to be in his early 20s. Forensic tests have been conducted at the scene and on the weapons recovered.

Detectives have begun interviewing witnesses from the Chinese and local communities and are to study CCTV camera footage from the area. They are investigating the possibility that rival criminal groups or "triads" may have been involved.

Chief Supt McHugh noted there had been a few high-profile incidents where such groups were involved, "but you are talking about a very small number of cases and you couldn't attribute this to being factionalised, at this stage anyway".

He said he understood that the function the group had attended before the event had passed "very peacefully and enjoyably". He added that the Chinese community was in general very law-abiding, hard-working and industrious.

Those involved were predominantly in their late teens or early 20s. Some are believed to be students attending English language schools.

Gardaí appealed for any witnesses to come forward. They also appealed for any retailers who may have recently sold professional knives bearing the brand names, Victorinox or Bachmayr, to contact them at Store Street Garda station, on 01-6668666.