TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to a 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death on Tuesday night.
Teenager Josh Dunne, from Dublin city, was fatally injured in a row which involved teenagers and adults near the East Wall area of Dublin at around 9.20pm on Tuesday.
Josh was named locally as the news of his death sent shockwaves through the community yesterday, with many paying tribute to his 'kind' soul and acknowledging his talents as a soccer player.
Detectives involved in the murder investigation believe that Josh was killed after he and his friends came across two people who were assaulting a man who had allegedly stolen a delivery driver's bicycle.
Josh and his friend, an unnamed 16-year-old, attempted to intervene and were stabbed three times.
Josh Dunne has been praised as a hero for intervening in the attack. (Facebook)Both were rushed to the Mater Hospital in Dublin, where Josh was pronounced dead; his friend is understood to have been seriously injured in the attack.
The 23-year-old man who was being assaulted and accused of stealing the bike also suffered stab wounds to his bike and presented a the Mater for treatment later that night; he is due to be quizzed by Gardaí over the alleged bike theft.
It is unclear who initially produced the knife in the attack which killed Josh Dunne, but a senior source told The Irish Independent that "the teenager killed had absolutely nothing to do with the initial incident and appears to have been trying to calm the situation when he was stabbed".
Tributes have been paid to the heroic young teen, with multiple sports clubs lamenting the loss of a talented player.
Josh Dunne was a talented soccer player with a bright future (Twitter /St Kevins Boys)In a statement, Dundee United, the Scottish Premiership side where Josh had clinched a trial in 2019, said they were "deeply saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Josh Dunne.
"Josh was a trialist with our Foyle Cup & Super Cup squads in 2019 where he was warmly welcomed and respected by players and staff.
“Our thoughts and best wishes are with his family and friends.”
Bohemians FC, where Josh played underage, said "Everyone at Bohemians is devastated to learn of the death of Bohs-SKB player Josh Dunne in tragic circumstances.
"Josh was a talented young footballer who will be sadly missed by former team-mates and coaches.
"We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends."
The Balgrifin Inn gastropub, where Josh's brother works as a chef, said they were "devastated to learn" of Josh's passing, and "gutted beyond words for him and his family.
"Bad things just always seem to happen to good people. "
Josh Dunne RIP (Facebook)Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon said there was "enormous sadness" in the community following the death of Josh Dunne.
He shared a video, created by Josh's friends, in tribute to him.
Enormous sadness around East Wall today following the tragic death of young Josh Dunne last night.
Some of Josh’s friends have created a YouTube video in his memory which I’ve been asked to share.
R.I.P Josh Dunne https://t.co/Yo6pcYp9VR via @YouTube— Gary Gannon TD (@GaryGannonTD) January 27, 2021
The Ballymun Kickhams club extended their "deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Josh Dunne ... Josh is a former underage player from the club and has many friends in our juvenile ranks.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
St Kevin's Boys FC, another of Josh's former clubs, said Josh's managers and friends in the club re "all devastated to hear the sad news".
A murder investigation into Josh's tragic death has been launched, and Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
