Toyosi’s family and friends gather for vigil

FAMILY and friends of Toyosi Shittabey gathered during an emotional candlelight vigil in north-west Dublin yesterday as community leaders moved to ease tensions in the community.

Prayers were offered for the teen soccer fanatic and Nigerian boy who was killed in Tyrrelstown on Good Friday.

Speaking about the continued sense of horror within the community over Toyosi’s death, Pastor Dare Adetuberu said efforts were being made to ease anger in the area.

“Everybody is still in shock. It will take a while to process that. The spot [where he was killed] is only several minutes away from where I live.”

“Hopefully we can take the edge off emotions. My attention is on the youths. Hopefully this ceremony will help them avenge their frustration and see a sense of inclusion and support from the wider community.

“Hopefully it will help them to isolate the incident and not extend it. They feel really angry and anger quickly spreads. Parents are wondering if they should let their children walk to the shops.”

Songs were sung yesterday evening as hundreds of people gathered close to the point where the schoolboy lost his life.

Earlier, classmates were brought together at a rally at Hartstown Community School.

Friends lit a candle under his school photograph and left their messages of condolence to his family.

School principal John Bean said pupils had been deeply saddened at the death and that Toyosi himself had been a “great guy” and full of life.

In the wake of the tragedy for the Muslim family of the teenager, Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, Imaam of Al Mustafa Islamic Centre, said his message to the community is to remain calm.