Gardaí continue to question suspect in 'deliberate' hit-and-run killing of man in Balbriggan
GARDAÍ ARE CONTINUING to question a suspect arrested after a man was allegedly deliberately mowed down in a feud-related hit-and-run killing in north county Dublin.
The victim, a man in his 30s, named locally as Mircea Rostas, died on Monday on Railway Street, Balbriggan shortly after 9pm. He had been hit by a car. Mircea was working as a delivery driver, it is understood.
A video circulating on messaging apps showed the immediate aftermath – a young man can be seen with a hurley stating to onlookers there was 'beef' between groups in the area.
Local people attempted to give first aid to the man who was lying lifeless on the street, while other people arrive in a car in a distressed state. Others stood nearby filming the scene.
There was then a series of follow-up outbreaks of violence, with disturbances across the area including a fight between two groups at the local garda station.
Sources have confirmed that the death is part of a feud between members of the Roma community in the area.
It is understood there was a serious assault as part of the same dispute in recent weeks.
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A major garda operation in the area after the incident led to the discovery of the black BMW car gardaí suspect was driven in the attack.
Gardaí arrested a man in his 40s and he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act – he can be held for a maximum of 24 hours which excludes rest periods.
Today, gardaí will make the decision on whether they have enough evidence to contact the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek a direction to charge or release the man.
A post-mortem examination was carried out by the Office of the State Pathologist at Dublin City Mortuary, gardaí said.
Gardaí have also said that the area was fully examined by the Garda Technical Bureau and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. The road has since reopened to traffic.
Detectives have begun trawling for CCTV footage in the area and interviewing witnesses.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and have appealed for people not to share footage of the incident online.
Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, from the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
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Sunday World
an hour ago
- Sunday World
Heartbroken sister of Balbriggan man killed in hit-and-run pays tribute
Mircea Rostas died on Monday after being struck by a vehicle while standing on a path in the town. The heartbroken sister of a Balbriggan man who was killed in a hit-and-run on Monday has paid tribute to him. Mircea Rostas, aged in his 30s, died after he was struck by a BMW while standing on a path on Railway Street, Balbriggan. His sister has shared her devastation at his sudden death. 'Brother, you have left us all in sorrow,' her tribute began. 'Why? You were such a wise man and always sought peace, a man who helped everyone when they needed help, a man who spread the word of God, the same God who let you die at the hands of your enemies. 'Please, come home so I can see you one more time, come home so I can hug you one more time, so I can sit at your feet and listen to you speak wise words about my life,' she pleaded. 'Please, Saban, look down from heaven on your wife, your children, your family and me.' Mircea Rostas News in 90 Seconds - June 25th Detectives suspect that Mr Rostas, who was also known as Saban to his loved ones, was intentionally driven at. The alleged driver of the car remains in garda custody as part of the investigation. In other online tributes, one mourner shared: 'My brother, I have no words, I can't find the words. You were a true brother, a man of God, I will not forget you all my life. May God rest you and have you in peace'. Another added: 'I can't believe that you left so early and innocent, such a good soul and a great character, my brother. May God rest your soul'. Gardaí have also appealed for people not to share a graphic video showing the immediate aftermath of the collision. It shows Mr Rostas lying motionless on the grounds while on bystander attempts CPR, and his family reacting in agony after arriving on the scene. He was treated at the scene, but died a short time later. The driver of the BMW involved fled. A man in his 40s, who was known to the victim, has been arrested and is being held at a garda station in north Dublin. Officers are investigating whether the hit-and-run is linked to a dispute in the area that has involved a number of other incidents in recent weeks. 'Early indications are that this man was standing on a footpath when the car drove at him and hit him, indicating that he was targeted deliberately,' a source said. 'Tempers were high in the area in the immediate aftermath, with a number of incidents reported, but these were quickly brought under control.' Gardaí are also seeking a motive, with one line of inquiry being that the man arrested and associates of Mr Rostas were involved in a personal dispute over a woman. Emergency services were alerted to reports of a road traffic collision and found Mr Rostas seriously injured on the ground. Gardaí also responded to two other public order incidents in the area a short time later, which sources said were 'reactionary'. Members of the Garda Public Order Unit were sent to the area and no serious injuries were reported. In one of the incidents, a vehicle was rammed on the road outside Balbriggan garda station. Forensic specialists carried out examinations of the vehicle yesterday morning. Gardaí also sealed off Railway Street in the town pending a forensic examination. A tent could be seen at one end of the street nearest the railway station, covering where the incident happened and where the man's body still lay until an examination by a pathologist. Mr Rostas's remains were later removed to the local mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Gardaí said they are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information to come forward. They are particularly interested in the movements of a black saloon car that was seen in the area at the time. It was abandoned following a collision with a second saloon car on Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, shortly after the fatal incident. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the Railway Street and Drogheda Street areas of Balbriggan between 8.30pm and 9.30pm are asked to make it available to gardaí.
The Journal
7 hours ago
- The Journal
Gardaí continue to question suspect in 'deliberate' hit-and-run killing of man in Balbriggan
GARDAÍ ARE CONTINUING to question a suspect arrested after a man was allegedly deliberately mowed down in a feud-related hit-and-run killing in north county Dublin. The victim, a man in his 30s, named locally as Mircea Rostas, died on Monday on Railway Street, Balbriggan shortly after 9pm. He had been hit by a car. Mircea was working as a delivery driver, it is understood. A video circulating on messaging apps showed the immediate aftermath – a young man can be seen with a hurley stating to onlookers there was 'beef' between groups in the area. Local people attempted to give first aid to the man who was lying lifeless on the street, while other people arrive in a car in a distressed state. Others stood nearby filming the scene. There was then a series of follow-up outbreaks of violence, with disturbances across the area including a fight between two groups at the local garda station. Sources have confirmed that the death is part of a feud between members of the Roma community in the area. It is understood there was a serious assault as part of the same dispute in recent weeks. Advertisement A major garda operation in the area after the incident led to the discovery of the black BMW car gardaí suspect was driven in the attack. Gardaí arrested a man in his 40s and he was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act – he can be held for a maximum of 24 hours which excludes rest periods. Today, gardaí will make the decision on whether they have enough evidence to contact the Director of Public Prosecutions to seek a direction to charge or release the man. A post-mortem examination was carried out by the Office of the State Pathologist at Dublin City Mortuary, gardaí said. Gardaí have also said that the area was fully examined by the Garda Technical Bureau and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. The road has since reopened to traffic. Detectives have begun trawling for CCTV footage in the area and interviewing witnesses. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward, and have appealed for people not to share footage of the incident online. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, from the area at the time are asked to make it available to Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
8 hours ago
- Sunday World
Victim of Balbriggan hit-and-run described as a ‘good soul' and a ‘true brother'
Row over female believed to be central to feud A man who was deliberately targeted in a fatal hit-and-run in north Dublin has been described as a 'good soul' and a 'true brother'. Mircea Rostas, who was aged in his 30s, died after being struck by a BMW while standing on a footpath on Railway Street in Balbriggan on Monday night. Detectives suspect he was intentionally driven at, and the alleged driver of the car remains in garda custody as part of the investigation. Tributes have been paid to Mr Rostas, who was also known as Saban to his friends and family. One person wrote online: 'My brother, I have no words, I can't find the words. You were a true brother, a man of God, I will not forget you all my life. May God rest you and have you in peace'. Another said: 'I can't believe that you left so early and innocent, such a good soul and a great character, my brother. May God rest your soul'. Mircea Rostas Gardaí have also appealed for people not to share a graphic video showing the immediate aftermath of the collision. It shows Mr Rostas lying motionless on the grounds while on bystander attempts CPR, and his family reacting in agony after arriving on the scene. Gardaí believe the victim was intentionally driven over as he stood on a footpath. He was treated at the scene, but died a short time later. The driver of the BMW involved fled. A man in his 40s, who was known to the victim, has been arrested and is being held at a garda station in north Dublin. Officers are investigating if the hit-and-run is linked to a dispute in the area that has involved a number of other incidents in recent weeks. 'Early indications are that this man was standing on a footpath when the car drove at him and hit him, indicating that he was targeted deliberately,' a source said. 'Tempers were high in the area in the immediate aftermath, with a number of incidents reported, but these were quickly brought under control'. Gardaí are also seeking a motive, with one line of inquiry being that the man arrested and associates of Mr Rostas were involved in a personal dispute over a woman. Garda forensics officers at the scene of Monday night's fatal hit-and-run incident on Railway Street in Balbriggan. Photo: Collins Emergency services were alerted to reports of a road traffic collision and found Mr Rostas seriously injured on the ground. Gardaí also responded to two other public order incidents in the area a short time later, which sources said were 'reactionary'. Members of the Garda Public Order Unit were sent to the area and no serious injuries were reported. Gardaí are particularly interested in the movements of a black saloon car In one of the incidents, a vehicle was rammed on the road outside Balbriggan garda station. Forensic specialists carried out examinations of the vehicle yesterday morning. Gardaí also sealed off Railway Street in the town pending a forensic examination. A tent could be seen at one end of the street nearest the railway station, covering where the incident happened and where the man's body still lay until an examination by a pathologist. Mr Rostas's remains were later removed to the local mortuary for a post-mortem examination. Gardaí said they are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has information to come forward. They are particularly interested in the movements of a black saloon car that was seen in the area at the time. It was abandoned following a collision with a second saloon car on Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, shortly after the fatal incident. Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the Railway Street and Drogheda Street areas of Balbriggan between 8.30pm and 9.30pm are asked to make it available to gardaí.
