Man held in connection with stabbing of SF councillor's son in Dublin pub

A man was arrested in Dublin yesterday in connection with the stabbing of Mr Patrick Burke (29) in the city on Saturday evening…

A man was arrested in Dublin yesterday in connection with the stabbing of Mr Patrick Burke (29) in the city on Saturday evening. He was detained at Clontarf Garda Station overnight. Mr Burke underwent two five-hour operations at the Mater Hospital following the stabbing at Meagher's pub, Ballybough. He was moved out of intensive care yesterday.

His father, Sinn Fein city councillor Christy Burke, said attacks of the type suffered by his son were becoming "the norm" in some parts of the city. "It's nearly becoming acceptable when there is a row that there is a stabbing or shooting," he said.

He called for legislation which would introduce stiffer penalties for those caught carrying knives and using them to harm others.

"Possession of a knife should be treated as seriously as carrying a firearm. What is needed is legislation that is properly policed and we need to make an example of some of those who are caught with them," he said.

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Mr Burke said his son was stabbed in the heart and lower abdomen when he went to the assistance of two young men who were being beaten up by five others.

He had gone to the pub, which was crowded following the Leinster football final between Dublin and Kildare at Croke Park, to meet his mother who had just returned from England.

Mr Burke, a scaffolder, was taken behind a partition in the pub and stabbed. He was then brought outside and kicked and stabbed in the car-park.

"We are all numb and in shock. It was a nightmare and still is," the Dublin city councillor said.

Dublin Central Independent TD Mr Tony Gregory said anyone who carried a knife and used it to bring somebody within an inch of their life should be dealt with severely by the courts. He saw no other way of dealing with such "twisted savagery".

He said there had been similar incidents in different parts of Dublin from time to time, but he did not believe such attacks were widespread. However, he said they presented a dilemma for onlookers - whether they should stand by and watch, and be criticised for doing nothing, or intervene and leave themselves open to attack.

Supt John Long, who is leading the investigation into the attack, said a substantial number of Garda personnel were working on the case and he was hopeful they would bring those responsible to justice.

He confirmed that people present in the pub on the night, including staff, and those involved in a row immediately before the stabbing, had been interviewed.

Anyone with information should call the gardai in Clontarf, at (01) 8336182.

Supt John Farrelly of the Garda Press Office said attacks like that suffered by Mr Burke were happening all too regularly but exact statistics would not be available until the Garda released its annual report in several weeks' time.