Stabbing of Toyosi Shittabey

On 2 April 2010, Nigerian-born student Toyosi Shittabey (15 July 1994 – 2 April 2010) was fatally stabbed in Tyrrelstown in West Dublin. After his death, a number of anti-racist marches took place in his memory in Dublin, the demonstrators drawing attention to issues relating to immigration to Ireland.^[1] The nature of the murder, with Shittabey's young age and completely integrated status within local Irish society, caused outrage among the Nigerian migrant community.^[1][2] That the murder occurred during the event of Good Friday was also noted,^[1][3] and international news media attention was brought to the topic of racial diversity in Ireland.^[3]

Organizations such as the Teachers Union of Ireland noted the general backdrop of social unease in Dublin at the time, given how many communities had been hit heavily by recent job losses.^[1] In terms of legacy, Shittabey's death has been referred to by books such as 2011's Celtic Revival?: The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of Global Ireland and 2012's Migrant Activism and Integration from Below in Ireland as a reflection of Ireland's social shift from what was labeled an ethnically and religiously defined 'monoculture' into a more heterogeneous nation, with tensions coming about as a result.^[4][2] Commentators such as writer Ronit Lentin have warned that racial integration efforts can fail without appropriate leadership being taken, which would lead to 'parallel societies' coming about should migrants feel unwelcome.^[2]

Parties involved

Toyosi had been living in Ireland since he was 4 years old and was a promising footballer for Shelbourne F.C.. He was also an Insaka Ireland soccer trainee, which is a football team that also trains Irish African youth.^[3] Nicknamed "Toya", he got along well with his soccer associates and garnered a reputation as a genial, charismatic young man.^[1]

Assailant Paul Barry had a record of past criminal offenses. Ten years before the murder of Shittabey, Barry had been convicted with violence disorder and an offence under the prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, along with 6 other men, for racially abusing a black man in Dublin's Pearse Street.^[5]

The stabbing

Toyosi and four of his friends were on their way back home from the National Aquatic Centre when the stabbing happened. Counsel for the prosecution told the opening hearing that on 2 April 2010 the victim was with a "group of five black youths and four white females". One of the girls asked for the light of a cigarette from Paul Barry. A row then ensued with "racist undertones" and name calling. The fight later broke up. Believing a mobile phone was taken by the group, Mr Barry and his brother Paul pursued them in a car. They then found them at a roundabout in Tyrrelstown. The court was told Paul Barry, holding a knife, approached one of the youths. Shittabey went to his assistance at which point Paul Barry turned around and, the prosecution said, the knife "ended up in the chest of the deceased". Paul Barry went back to the car where, it was alleged, Michael Barry had remained and both men drove off.^[6]

Trial and aftermath

International news media attention was brought to the topic of racial diversity in Ireland. An article in the Metro Éireann publication stated that friends and relatives of the deceased expressed "hope that his senseless killing will bring peace between the black community, other immigrant nationalities and Irish people.” A candlelight vigil took place with hundreds of people in attendance in Toyosi's hometown, and a set of anti-racist demonstrations were also held in Dublin’s city centre that drew even larger crowds.^[3] That the murder occurred during the event of Good Friday received notice.^[1][3]

The brothers Paul Barry and Michael Barry were charged with this murder, but Paul Barry was found dead on the morning of the beginning of the trial.^[7]

At the start of the trial, the prosecution said they were seeking a conviction of murder for Michael Barry who, as they said, rendered it possible for his brother to carry out the act of stabbing Shittabey. Michael Barry pleaded not guilty. Witnesses testified that Michael Barry had not carried out the act of killing Toyosi, but that he had driven his brother to the place where the stabbing occurred. The judge directed the jury to pronounce a verdict of not guilty, and Michael Barry was acquitted.

The initial one year anniversary of the murder received a muted reaction, though the Insaka Ireland organization stated that they had permanently retired the youth's number 15 jersey as a mark of respect.^[3] In terms of the broader legacy of Shittabey's death, the murder has been referred to by works such as 2011's Celtic Revival?: The Rise, Fall, and Renewal of Global Ireland and 2012's Migrant Activism and Integration from Below in Ireland.^[4][2] Commentators such as writer Ronit Lentin have warned that racial integration efforts in Ireland will succeed or fail based on if appropriate leadership is taken in Irish society, with migrant families from nations such as Shittabey's own Nigeria wishing to be a constructive part of the modern multicultural Ireland.^[2] Irish Member of the European Parliament Joe Higgins remarked that the "desperately sad" murder "throws a light on a number of social factors which determine how youth of different ethnic backgrounds interrelate", arguing that "an important contributor to ethnic solidarity is having a society where jobs, homes and school places are available to all".^[1]

See also

• Immigration to Ireland

References