Man killed in 'targeted' Balbriggan hit and run named locally
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The man killed in a 'targeted' hit-and-run in a north Dublin town has been named locally as Mircea Rostas as the town comes to terms with the shocking killing.
Mr Rostas, who was in his 30s, was hit by a car on Railway Street in Balbriggan on Monday night. That car failed to remain at the scene.
His body was removed from the scene on Tuesday morning. A post-mortem examination has been completed by the State pathologist, the results of which are not being released for operational reasons.
It's understood Mr Rostas was targeted as part of an ongoing feud between members of the Roma community, which had been simmering for several weeks until Monday night when he was killed.
On Monday night, local people gathered around the man's body shortly after the horror incident, which happened at around 9pm, with one distraught youth, who was with Mr Rostas, sobbing: "He's not breathing" and "I had beef with them for ages" in relation to the suspects.
The chief suspect, a man in his 40s, has been identified by Gardaí and it is understood he knew his victim well. As of Tuesday afternoon, the suspect had yet to be arrested.
Two crime scenes were declared in the town - one on Railway Street where Mr Rostas lost his life and a second scene on Drogheda Street, outside Balbriggan Garda Station, where a car was rammed.
(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)
On Tuesday morning, three cars remained on the road, which was cordoned off until a technical examination was carried out. Shortly before lunchtime on Tuesday, the vehicles were removed from the scene and the road was reopened.
Earlier, local councillor Tony Murphy told the Irish Mirror it was "horrendous" news for the family of Mr Rostas.
"It's absolutely devastating for Balbriggan," said Cllr Murphy.
"And equally, I must say, it must be horrendous for the family [of Mr Rostas] to wake up to this news this morning.
"And I know speculation is out there as to what happened, but I have 100 per cent confidence in the Gardaí, and they will get to the bottom of this, and they will take the appropriate action.
"And I'd like to say to the people, Balbriggan is generally a safe town and not to be too concerned.
"And we have a good vigilant Garda force in the town, so there wouldn't be too much to be to be concerned about, although this is going to rock Balbriggan, that's for sure."
Shocked locals who gathered on Drogheda Street on Tuesday morning said they are "absolutely shocked" over what happened.
(Image: Colin Keegan)
"It's absolutely shocking," one local told the Irish Mirror.
"I only heard about it all this morning when I saw news online. It's terrible."
"We heard all the sirens on Monday night but didn't know what was happening," another local said.
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward.
Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) 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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