Australian police fear man was stabbed in row over girl

AUSTRALIAN police are investigating the possibility that 21-year-old Kenny Meyler was fatally stabbed following a row over a girl.

Local media said that Mr Meyler, pictured, who died on Sunday after being stabbed in Perth on February 10, was at a rave with friends before returning to a house where a row broke out and he was stabbed in the neck.

It was reported that Mr Meyler had returned to a house in the suburb of Scarborough before falling asleep on a couch.

There was an alleged dispute between Mr Meyler and two other men over a girl, but it appeared to be settled. Police claim that, without warning, a man then picked up a kitchen knife with a 30cm blade and stabbed Mr Meyler in the neck.

An Irishman named Vincent Martin Crowe (33), with an address at Atwell in the city, has already been charged with intent to do grievous bodily harm at Perth Magistrates’ Court. He was remanded in custody to re-appear next Monday.

Police are expected to upgrade the charges to murder at the court hearing.

Mr Meyler’s grandfather, Joe Moloney, said he felt “great sadness” for the person who stabbed his son.

“We have lost a beautiful grandson, a grandson whom the whole family adored,” he said.

“It’s a difficult and traumatic time for all of us. I do feel sadness for the parents of the alleged perpetrator. They are probably going through the same thing we are.”

Mr Meyler emigrated to Australia two years ago from his home in Wexford town, where he boxed for the Wexford CBS club.

His grandfather, who lives with his wife Phyllis and family in Selskar, Wexford, said arrangements were being made to repatriate his grandson’s body, but no date had been set.

He added that the family had been inundated with offers of support and financial help, with offers made to help meet the cost of repatriation and funeral expenses.

The victim’s mother, Melanie Meyler, and his father, Dermot Moloney, maintained a bedside vigil throughout the week. However, their son never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead on Saturday afternoon at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.

Mr Meyler also had a nineyearsister.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was offering consular assistance.

Detectives have urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident to make contact, adding that one potential witness may have recorded some of the stabbing on their mobile phone.