Teen remanded in custody over fatal stabbing of Ukrainian youth in Dublin care home
17-year-old Vadym Davydenko from Ukraine died after being stabbed multiple times in emergency accommodation in north Dublin on Wednesday.
A 17-year-old Somali boy has been remanded in custody, charged with the murder of Ukrainian youth Vadym Davydenko at an emergency Tusla residential care unit in north Dublin.
Vadym, also aged 17, was fatally stabbed during an incident at about 11am on Wednesday at a 24-hour facility in an apartment building in Donaghmede. He had been placed there with other young people separated from their families and seeking international protection.
The teenager, who had recently graduated from high school in Kyiv, arrived in Ireland about three days before he was killed.
Gardaí and emergency services responded to a call for assistance at the premises.
Despite paramedics’ efforts, the boy — who would have turned 18 in November — was pronounced dead at the scene. A senior investigating officer was appointed to lead the inquiry, and an incident room was established at Coolock Garda Station.
The accused was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries before being arrested and charged with murder on Friday.
The teenager, who cannot be named because he is a minor and legally entitled to anonymity, appeared before Judge Treasa Kelly at Dublin District Court on Saturday evening.
Detective Sergeant Mark Quill told the court that the youth was charged at 3.38pm at Clontarf Garda Station.
Barefoot and wearing a black sweater and grey tracksuit bottoms, the teenager sat beside seven gardaí in helmets and protective gear.
He listened to the proceedings with the help of an interpreter, did not address the court, and mumbled during the brief hearing.
Detective Sergeant Quill told Judge Kelly that the boy “made no reply” when charged in the presence of his social worker and interpreter. The court heard that the teen received a copy of the charge, which was explained to him.
Defence solicitor Andrew Walsh confirmed that a Tusla social worker and a court-appointed guardian ad litem attended the hearing as responsible adults for the boy. The Children Act requires a parent or guardian to be present at a juvenile’s criminal proceedings.
Mr Walsh said the teenager should appear in person rather than by videolink.
Detective Sergeant Quill confirmed a place was available in the juvenile detention centre.
Mr Walsh was granted an order for his client to receive urgent psychiatric and medical attention in custody and for a Somali interpreter to be present at his next hearing.
The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in murder cases, which must be heard in the High Court. Therefore, Judge Kelly remanded the accused in custody to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin.
The boy has not yet indicated a plea and will appear again before the Children’s Court on Tuesday.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, confirmed the facility is a 24-hour residential unit providing care for young people seeking international protection. A female staff member who tried to intervene sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital, while other residents and staff fled the scene.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Ireland confirmed it is making arrangements for the repatriation of Vadym Davydenko’s body to Ukraine. A Garda family liaison officer has been assigned to assist.
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