Man charged with assault over fatal stabbing of teen

A MAN was charged yesterday in relation to a stabbing incident in which a 19-year-old was fatally injured.

The victim, Daniel O’Neill, of Clontusket, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, died while being transferred to a hospital in Dublin.

Yesterday evening, Christopher McLoughlin, aged 19, from Curragh Park, Ballinasloe, was charged with assault causing harm to Mr O’Neill under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.

Mr O’Neill received a stab wound to his stomach at Hymany Park in Ballinasloe at around 11pm on Tuesday night. Emergency services brought the victim to Portiuncula Hospital. He was later transferred by ambulance to Dublin.

However, his condition deteriorated en route and he died near Enfield shortly after 6am.

He was taken to Navan General Hospital, where Assistant State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy later carried out a post mortem.

Detective Garda Tom Horkan told Ballinasloe District Court yesterday that, when charged, the accused said: “Sorry, that’s all I can say”.

Inspector Peadar Kearney opposed a bail application by defending solicitor, Gearóid Geraghty.

Insp Kearney said McLoughlin had been arrested yesterday morning at Ballinasloe Railway Station as he was about to leave the town.

He said the accused was likely to abscond and he indicated that further, more serious charges may follow.

Insp Kearney said that arising from the assault, a man had died and the matter was under further investigation and that the charge before the court was a holding charge. Judge Michael Reilly remanded McLoughlin in custody, to appear before Harristown District Court, Castlerea, tomorrow.

Meanwhile, gardaí in Co Cavan are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to a stabbing incident in the Cootehill area. The victim, in his late 50s and from Bunnoe, was stabbed in the head and chest. He was taken to Cavan County Hospital, where his condition was said to be stable. A local man, in his late 50s, was arrested and later released. A file will go to the DPP.

Gardaí in Dublin are continuing to investigate a serious stabbing incident in the city last Saturday. The victim, 29, is still in a critical condition, but is expected to survive.