SHOCK AS YOUNG FATHER DIES OF APPARENT STAB WOUNDS
CLOSE KNIT COMMUNITY SHOCKED BY THE FATAL STABBING OF 33-YEAR-OLD PHILIP DOYLE WHO WAS A DEVOTED FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN
A COMMUNITY remains at a standstill following the untimely death of Philip Doyle (33), late of Ramsgate Village, Gorey, after he suffered stab wounds outside the home that he shared with his wife Sarah and their children shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday.
Originally from Bray, county Wicklow, the couple were married just last June, and together were raising their two boys Brodie and Braxson along with his only daughter Hannah that Philip had from a previous relationship.
On Sunday, a woman also in her thirties, was arrested and detained, with an incident room established at Gorey Garda Station.
Meanwhile yesterday (Monday) neighbours gathered together and were still in shock, as a garda presence remained at the preserved scene at the family home.
Following on from interviewing neighbours, gathering information and forensic evidence from Sunday, a garda spokesperson said that things were still very raw for all concerned as well as nearby neighbours.
It was a close-by neighbour that assisted at the time of the incident, attempting to resuscitate Philip in his front garden, followed on by other onlookers raising the alarm.
Philip was treated by Gardaí and Emergency Services personnel after this but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
The late Philip Doyle worked as a mechanic, and was a native of the Oldcourt estate on Boghall Road, Bray.
In his younger years, he was a pupil of St Fergal’s National School and St Kilian’s Community College.
He loved sport and was a fan of Tottenham Hotspurs and went by ‘Philly’ to his many friends.
He is survived by his parents Jackie and David, his children, siblings Shane, Rachel and Emma, friends and relatives.
Gardaí are continuing to investigate the case from all circumstances, but others have expressed sympathy to the bereaved.
Gorey Christian Assembly, a church located in Ramsgate Village, extended their thoughts and prayers to all concerned.
Matthew Shanks, on behalf of the Assembly, said that it was terribly sad that 2020 had not begun well for the country with the various tragedies that have occurred over the last few weeks.
He offered the support of the church to ‘Any residents of the estate affected by this awful incident’.
As parents and their children left Higgy’s House creche in Ramsgate Village, there was a sense of sadness and shock from all present.
One mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said that she knew the Doyle children to see.
‘I don’t feel unsafe as a parent. I was shocked of course, I know the kids.
‘One of the kids, a young boy, he was very friendly and smiley and bubbly, they all seemed well cared for’.
TD Malcolm Byrne, who has lived in the Chase in Ramsgate Village for 18 years, described feeling stunned when a neighbour sent him a text early on Sunday morning.
‘I didn’t know the family concerned, but it’s very close to home and there’s a sense of disbelief.
‘ There are over 400 houses in Ramsgate Village, and the Heath is the newest part of the development, so you’d have a mix of people there, especially younger individuals and couples commuting to work.
‘It’s a very well kept estate, the second biggest in Gorey, but people would know each other around the estate’.
He said the concern now turns to what’s going to happen next as it is a young family.
‘It doesn’t help speculating as to what happened, let the Gardai determine that. At the end of the day, it’s a young family that have to live their lives and be supported.
‘Gorey is a rapidly growing town, and there have been violent incidents in the past, but that doesn’t take away from the shock of what has happened and the scale of this in that someone loses their life.
‘ There was just a sense of shock as this is not something you expect to see on your own doorstep.
‘My thoughts are with the young man’s family, his friends, as well as the neighbours. It’s going to be difficult because of the circumstances, for everyone to deal with it.
‘I say fair play to those who raised the alarm, I didn’t hear anything during the morning myself. Anyone who has information should give it to the Gardai.
‘We don’t yet have the full circumstances of this, but we do need to look around issues about how as a communities we can build together to support people.
‘In order to deal with crime, we need more Gardai,’ he said.
On Gorey’s Main street yesterday (Monday), shopkeepers and café workers said that there is a deep sense of shock locally.
Karen O’Raw of Gorey Visitor Centre said all staff were shocked and very saddened.
‘Our sympathies go to the man’s family, these are things that you think happen far away. Anyone who has come in to the centre today has mentioned it and said the same’.
Local priest at St Michael’s Church Gorey, William Howell, said that he felt terrified.
‘Lord bless us and save us, when I heard yesterday I thought what in the name of God.
‘I just don’t know what is happening to societies today. It’s not just local to Gorey here, it’s right across Ireland,’ he said.
At the time of publication, a charge was being preferred by investigating gardaí. Gardaí in Gorey are appealing for witnesses to this or anyone with information to contact them at Gorey Garda Station 053 9430690 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
THESE ARE THINGS THAT YOU THINK HAPPEN FAR AWAY, WE ARE SHOCKED AND VERY SADDENED