Two 13-year-olds held over fatal knife attack

Clodagh Sheehy

As six teenagers were still being questioned today in connection with the stabbing of David Byrne (19), his heartbroken girlfriend Stacey last night left a letter at the spot where he was killed. In the handwritten note she revealed she felt "so empty without you. Stay with me always and keep me safe".

Friends gathered at the scene of the stabbing to hold a night vigil and pay tribute to the friend they called 'Boo'.

Stacey's note which began with "I love you" underlined, told of her pain at 'Boo's' death.

"I can't believe you are gone. I loved you from the deepest part of me and now I just don't believe I'll never ever get to tell you how much you mean to me, ever again.

"Feel so empty without you. Stay with me always and keep me safe. I miss you so much babe. I miss you from the bottom of my heart."

It finished: "All my love always, your one and only, Baby Girl" and was signed Stacey.

Candles and flowers surrounded a collection of Mr Byrne's favourite things -- chocolates, a can of Coke, a football jersey and a bottle of Budweiser beer.

Seven teenagers, including two 13-year olds and a girl, were detained in a series of swoops in Dublin. However, one of the teenage males has now been released without charge.

Six people remain in custody. Two 13-year-olds were being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act on suspicion of withholding information about the murder. They can be held for up to 72 hours.

The others are all detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning about Mr Byrne's death.

Murder

The teenagers range in age from 13 to 17 and include prime suspects for the murder.

At least four men chased the victim from his home at Davitt Houses into the Emmet Court apartment complex in Inchicore.

One attacker then produced a knife and stabbed the 19-year-old up to five times in the back and side.

Gardai understand that the younger members of one of the Crumlin-Drimnagh crime gangs targeted Byrne over a small sum of money owed for drugs.

He was attacked and stabbed a number of months ago, but survived.

csheehy@herald.ie