Dublin lecturer stabbed to death in Paris
A LECTURER from Dublin who had been teaching English in Paris was yesterday savagely stabbed to death by a former student who had failed to pass his exams.
The horrific murder of John Dowling, 66, in a possible act of revenge, took place outside the Léonard de Vinci private university in the western La Defense business district.
‘The victim was stabbed repeatedly after heading out of the college to go for lunch,’ said an investigating source. ‘At least one of the cuts was to his throat, and he died at the scene.
‘A 37-year-old man was arrested at the scene and remains in custody.’
The so far unnamed suspected killer is a Pakistani national who was expelled from the university in the summer of 2017 after failing to get through the academic year.
He is known to have remained in the area over the past year, and was in touch with those running the college.
It is not yet known whether Mr Dowling had ever taught his alleged murderer, but university spokesman Sebastian Tran said a possible act of revenge was being investigated.
The suspected killer ‘had a normal schooling in the first semester, but in the second semester, he did not pass his year and he was therefore excluded in August 2017,’ said Mr Tran.
Mr Tran said the university had not been aware of any ‘particular threat’ from the former student.
Frederique Vidal, France’s higher education minister, said: ‘There is emotion and indignation as a professor has just been murdered at the Leonardo da Vinci university.
‘We need to find out the circumstances surrounding his death during the investigation being conducted by the judicial police.’
Mr Dowling had been on the verge of retirement, said Pascal Brouaye, the head of the university, who added: ‘It’s a tragedy that affects the entire community. He was a language teacher who had been here for 20 years and he was appreciated by everyone.’
French Police said that Mr Dowling was stabbed as he was leaving the university to go to lunch. The man stepped forward and stabbed him while shouting.
The police said the 37-year-old Pakistani national ‘was angry about exam results’ and plunged a knife into Mr Dowling’s throat. ‘Police officers have arrested the suspect who was near the location – and they have found the knife also,’ police said.
A statement from the Léonard de Vinci school where Mr Dowling thought paid a warm tribute to the tragic teacher.
The statement said: ‘On Wednesday, one of our lecturers was stabbed to death in front of the Léonard de Vinci campus. It happened outside the institution on Mona Lisa square.’
‘The aggressor has been arrested. This person had spent a few months as a student in one of De Vinci schools and had been expelled in August 2017 as he did not validate his studies.
‘John was a very friendly man, respected and loved by all students and colleagues.
‘He was also known for his great availability and kindness.
‘The community of Léonard de Vinci is deeply shocked and saddened by this tragedy of extreme violence.
‘We express our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of John Dowling.’
‘Suspected killer failed college’ ‘Language teacher there 20 years’