Arrest made after teenager dies in suspected stabbing attack at Tusla facility in Donaghmede

Eva Osborne

A male has been arrested in connection with a suspected stabbing at a Tusla care facility in Donaghmede, north Dublin, in which a teenager died, it is understood.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he is "shocked and saddened" over the incident which took place on Wednesday.

A teenage boy died following the suspected stabbing incident at the emergency residential premises Grattan Wood area of Donaghmede.

Shortly after 11am on Wednesday, gardaí and other emergency services responded to a call for assistance at the residential premises in the Grattan Wood area of Donaghmede.

On arrival, a seriously injured male juvenile teenager was discovered and, despite the assistance of paramedics, he was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body was removed on Wednesday evening.

Tusla, which is the State’s child and family agency, said the incident occurred at a unit which provides 24-hour care to four separated young people seeking international protection.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, Martin said: "I am shocked and saddened at the loss of life in a Tusla care facility in north Dublin today.

"Our thoughts go to the bereaved family and those injured during this incident. The wellbeing of the young people in this facility and the staff is now paramount.

"It is important they are offered every possible support at this difficult time as An Garda Síochána conduct a thorough investigation."

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan said that he had been briefed by gardaí throughout the day in relation to the investigation.

"My deepest sympathies go to the family and friends of the young person who has died. I’m also thinking of the other residents and staff as this will have been a shocking tragedy for everyone in the facility," he said.

"Gardaí will work with Tusla to provide all necessary supports. A full criminal investigation is underway by An Garda Sióchána."

Gardaí and emergency services assisted a number of other juveniles and adults at the scene.

A male teenager has been taken to hospital in the Dublin Region for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

A female adult received medical attention at the scene for non-life threatening injuries, and is receiving further medical attention at hospital.

Both the dead juvenile and the injured teenager are understood to be international protection applicants.

In a statement, gardaí said: "The incident is no longer active and there is no ongoing threat to the community.

"An Garda Síochána is not looking for any other person in relation to this incident at this time and is following a definite line of enquiry.

"The scene has been preserved for a Garda technical examination. The Offices of the Coroner and the State Pathologist have been notified.

"The body will be removed in due course, and a post mortem examination will be carried out.

"The results of the post-mortem examination will assist in determining the course of the ongoing investigation."

In a statement, Tusla said the incident involved two young people, during which a "fatal injury was sustained".

“An Garda Síochána are now conducting a full investigation , and we are co-operating fully with their inquiries.

“Our immediate priority is the safety and wellbeing of the other young people and staff at this unit.

“We are providing additional supports to everyone directly affected and making efforts to contact the families of the young people who were residing there.”

Locals reported that at least one person was taken from the scene by emergency services using a stretcher.

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin Bay North, Denise Mitchell, said Donaghmede is in shock after the “devastating” incident.

She said: “This was a deeply traumatic incident, which has stunned the whole community.

“The gardai are at the very early stages of their investigation, and they need to be given the time, space and resources to establish the facts about how and why this happened.

“I want to commend the gardai and emergency services for their speedy action in bringing the situation under control, and welcome that there is now no ongoing threat to the community.”

The Offices of the Coroner and the State Pathologist have been notified.

Additional reporting: PA