Balbriggan hit and run victim allegedly run after by gang with hurley and knives
The young man ran over and killed in what is suspected to have been a 'targeted' fatal hit and run was allegedly run after by a gang with hurley and knives beforehand, we can reveal.
Tragic Mircea Rostas, who was in his 30s, was run over twice by a BMW on Railway Street in Balbriggan just after 9pm on Monday night.
Gardaí are set to consider a murder investigation as they continue to question a man known to Mr Rostas tonight, Wednesday, following a night of chaos in the town on Monday.
It is now alleged several suspects 'arrived at Railway Street with a hurley and knives' and Mr Rostas ran from the scene 'because of an alleged incident over a female'.
It's then alleged a person ran after Mr Rostas on foot before he was allegedly struck by a car which 'went into reverse and then drove back over him', sources say.
'It is believed at this stage it was targeted,' sources say.
Sources also say there was a 'war of words' on social media over the past few weeks where a number of people 'started abusing each other; over an alleged assault of a female.'
Following the incident a car fled the scene and was subsequently struck by another vehicle driven by associates of the victim.
The shocking second collision occurred right outside Balbriggan Garda Station. A fight then broke out outside the station which had to be broken up.
The suspect in the case was known to Mr Rostas and subsequently handed himself into Gardaí and was arrested on appointment. Tonight, Wednesday he remained in garda custody.
Gardaí continue to appeal for witnesses. A garda spokesman said in a statement: '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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
31 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Minister concerned 44% of women are dissatisfied with initial Garda response to abuse
The Minister for Justice has expressed concern that 44 per cent of women surveyed by Women's Aid were not satisfied with their initial engagement with gardaí over domestic abuse. Jim O'Callaghan stressed, however, that the majority of women found gardaí to be helpful. He said gardaí are being continually trained on this issue. The Minister said work continues within his department to create a register of domestic abusers. He is increasing funding for issues to ensure abusers, rather than victims, are the ones to leave the family home. Mr O'Callaghan was taking questions in the Dáil, where the Women's Aid annual report dominated. The report revealed the agency last year received the highest number of domestic abuse complaints in its 50-year history, with an increase in all forms of abuse. READ MORE Women's Aid highlighted concern about An Garda Síochána's 'inconsistent' response to more than 65,000 such contacts it received last year. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said there is a suite of laws dealing with domestic abuse, but these are all 'ineffective if the first line of defence, the gardaí, are not implementing them adequately'. She said, 'We've heard from survivors who were dismissed or not taken seriously. That failure doesn't just erode trust, it puts lives at risk.' Mr O'Callaghan said 'the majority had a positive experience'. He said 'women I have spoken to who come into contact with gardaí who have had training in domestic violence have a very positive narrative'. But he believes it is more 'an issue for men and boys than it is for women, because regrettably, my sex are the sex that perpetrate this violence against women'. [ Shocking domestic violence data adds further urgency to new strategy Opens in new window ] He said pornography must be having an 'extraordinary impact on young men 'because it presents women in a very submissive, malleable manner'. 'Not all the solutions are through the criminal justice system,' he said. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the report made for 'grim reading'. All the statistics 'are going in the wrong direction, and Women's Aid says that this is only the tip of the iceberg '. 'Behind these statistics are real women and their children, real lives shattered. The report reflects that Government must do a far better job to achieve zero tolerance of violence against women.' She also pointed to the lack of refuge spaces and asked why women should have to leave their home rather than the abuser. The Minister agreed it should not be the 'first port of call' when a woman is abused to seek to find her another place to live. 'The response should be: 'How can we get the abuser out of the home?'' He said there are mechanisms, including barring and safety orders, which he is committed to properly funding. Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said 'social media is supercharging' violence against women. He said the algorithms 'are rewarding misogyny, disinformation and abuse because it keeps people scrolling and it keeps the companies making money'. Mr Gannon called on the Government to 'regulate these recommender algorithms'. [ Highest number of domestic violence disclosures in 50 years is 'just tip of iceberg', says Women's Aid Opens in new window ] The Minister said this issue cannot be solved through domestic legislation, but requires 'an EU response'. At the launch of the report on Wednesday, Women's Aid chief executive Sarah Benson said domestic violence is endemic in society, but the 'single greatest risk structure is being born female'. She said people in Ireland have been talking about the issue 'more than ever' over the last few years. As it becomes 'increasingly destigmatised', victims and survivors 'will rightly reach out for support'. It is important this momentum continues to recognise the prevalence of domestic violence in Ireland and to reduce the number of people affected by it, she said.
Irish Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rep says Gardai assaulted 'daily' after lucky escape from meat cleaver attack
Gardaí are being assaulted on a 'daily basis', a representative has said amid a terrifying meat cleaver attack on an officer in Co Roscommon. The Irish Mirror reported on Wednesday how brave Garda Gary Murphy told how he was lucky to escape with his life when drug dealer Gerard Forte struck him with a meat cleaver as he searched his house in an incident in December 2023. The shocking facts of the case were unveiled for the first time during a court hearing on Tuesday - in which Garda Murphy spoke about his belief that Forte was trying to kill him that night. And speaking as Forte was remanded into custody, the Garda Representative Association's (GRA) Eoin Browne commended the bravery of Garda Murphy and his colleague Garda Michael Fox, who were attacked that day - as he highlighted the wider issues of officers being attacked almost every day. Garda Browne, who represents the Roscommon and Longford divisions of the GRA told us: 'Two Gardaí, while conducting a search during the course of their duty, were violently assaulted and both members were lucky to escape with their lives. 'We have one member (Garda Michael Fox) still out sick as a result of undergoing constant medical treatment. Another member gave a very impactful victim impact statement where he was attacked with a meat cleaver with his back turned and only for the grace of God, he could have been killed. 'It very easily could have been a lethal situation,' he said. Garda Browne said the incident highlights the all-too-common events where officers in the region are putting their lives on the line. 'I just want to highlight the fact that these assaults on Gardaí are going on on a daily basis and are not just confined to the bigger urban areas. 'Towns like Roscommon have violent criminals as well and we just need to highlight the manpower issues in two counties where there's just such a shortage of Gardaí and this has been going on now a number of years,' he said. His comments come as Garda Gary Murphy told a hearing of Roscommon Circuit Court that he had no doubt that Gerard Forte, 29, of Castlepark, Co Roscommon, 'tried to fatally injure me' when he swung the weapon at him after officers with a warrant had to forcibly enter their way into his home on December 27, 2023. Forte, 29, pleaded guilty to assaulting both Garda Murphy and his colleague Garda Michael Fox - as well as producing a knife - namely a 'meat cleaver'. Forte, who the court heard already has a conviction for sale and supply of drugs and threatening and abusive behaviour, also pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply on that same date. The court heard that Garda Murphy was saved by Garda Fox, who struggled with Forte on the floor and couch of his home before managing to restrain him with handcuffs. The drugs unit officers had made their way into the home, repeatedly shouting 'Gardaí', the court heard, as they executed a warrant to search his home on the suspicion that he was supplying drugs in Roscommon town. In a powerful victim impact statement read out in court, Garda Murphy, who has had to undergo physiotherapy and has ongoing issues due to the incident, said he feels he is lucky not to have been killed by Forte on that night. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week 'The phrase injured 'on Duty' or 'in the line of Duty' cannot ever be justified or comprehended when a Garda is brutally attacked,' he told the court. "My attack on the 27th of December 2023 could easily have been fatal. "The actions of Gerard Forte could easily have caused me to be remembered as a number on the wall of Templemore.' The Garda said his loved ones could all have ended up 'mourning the loss of another Garda member killed in the line of duty'. 'It seems somewhat unfair for only me to give a victim impact statement because the reality is, is that this attack affects many, many more people than just me,' Garda Murphy told the court. 'The fear that I may be attacked again, is our reality. The fear that next time, I won't be so lucky, is our reality. 'My tour of duty the evening of the 27th of December 2023, I have no doubt in my mind could have been my last,' he added. 'I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that Gerard Forte tried to fatally injure me. "His actions on the night, coming to the window looking out, knowing who was at the door, his only thought was to return to his bedroom, find the biggest knife he had and attempt to strike me on the back of the head when my back was turned.' Garda Murphy said Forte's actions were 'all the thoughts of a person that was trying to strike a fatal blow'. He told the court that when the struggle continued into the sitting room, Forte was again trying to strike his colleague Garda Fox with the same knife. 'I believe there was only one thing on his mind. Only for the quick actions of Garda Michael Fox, I would not be here today, that's my reality,' Garda Murphy told the court. He received a laceration to his left shoulder from the strike of the knife, he said - and his clothing was cut through from the impact of the blade. He believed that he now had an 'irreversible rotator cuff injury' to his shoulder and injuries he would continue needing treatment for. The court also heard that Garda Michael Fox was still off duty due to injuries he had received in the incident. Garda Murphy said the incident will stay with him forever. 'To believe how close I came to death will stay with me forever,' he told the court. He said he found it 'extremely difficult to return to front line policing' but he did so to 'save myself'. 'I have dedicated the past two and half years of my service and life to the Divisional Drugs Unit in an attempt to reduce the amount of controlled drugs in the Counties of Roscommon and Longford,' he added. "This night of the 27th of December 2023 has not only made me question working within such a unit but also working within An Garda Síochána as an organisation at all. 'There is no way this would be the "norm", in any other public sector job. If someone walked into a Hospital and attacked a Nurse or a Doctor, the country would be rightly up in arms. However, the reality is, is that this is happening to Garda members every day of the week,' he said. 'Garda members are getting attacked 'in the line of duty' daily. Ordinary people, like me, take on the career of Members of An Garda Síochána, protecting and serving the communities of Ireland. If Garda members are being attacked, how can anyone feel safe? 'However, Gardaí are every day, even now, working to protect the people and to detect and prevent crime, it's what we do,' he said. Garda Murphy said the attack affects the wider community and the residents of Roscommon town. He said it occurred when he executed a search warrant - because "I believed that Gerard Forte was involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in Roscommon Town". 'I was fully justified in my belief,' he told the court. 'There is no way he can be justified in his." 'Gerard Forte, has never offered an apology for his actions, if he does today, it is solely as a mitigating factor. His demeanour towards the Garda Staff and Gardaí when he signs on bail, can only be described as repulsive,' he continued. 'A clear message must be sent out that such attacks on Garda members is not acceptable, and cannot be tolerated. '90 names on the walls of Templemore is too many, today, I feel like the lucky one.'
Dublin Live
5 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Gardai on high alert for retaliation attacks after man killed in hit-and-run
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gardai are on high alert as there are fears of retaliation attacks following a hit-and-run which claimed the life of a man in his 30s. Sources say the victim, named locally as Mircea Rostas was targeted in a feud-related incident among members of the Roma community in Balbriggan, north Co Dublin. On Monday night local people gathered around the man's body shortly after the horrific incident at around 9pm. One distraught youth, who was with Mr Rostas, sobbed: 'He's not breathing,' and 'I had beef with them for ages,' in relation to the alleged suspects. Mr Rostas was mowed down by a vehicle on Railway Street in the town. The vehicle failed to remain at the scene. Shortly afterwards, in a second incident involving three cars, a black BMW 3 series was rammed outside Balbriggan Garda station on Drogheda Street. The Garda Public Order unit was deployed as tensions mounted in the seaside town shortly after both incidents. Two crime scenes were declared and remained sealed off in the town until yesterday afternoon. A man was arrested last night as part of investigations into the horrific hit-and-run. A statement confirmed: 'Gardai in Balbriggan are continuing to investigate all of the circumstances surrounding a fatal road traffic incident that occurred on Railway Street, Balbriggan, shortly after 9pm on Monday. The incident resulted in the death of a male aged in his 30s. 'A postmortem examination was carried out by the Office of the State Pathologist at Dublin City Mortuary. 'A preliminary report has been furnished to the investigation team, specific details are not being released at this time for operational reasons. 'The scene has been fully examined by the Garda Technical Bureau and Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. The road has since reopened to traffic. 'As part of the ongoing investigation, a man in his 40s has been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in North Dublin. 'An incident room has been established at Balbriggan Garda Station and a Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed. 'A Garda Family Liaison Officer has been assigned and is providing support to the deceased's family.' Investigating Gardai are appealing to the public for any witnesses to the incident to come forward. They are particularly interested in the movements of a black saloon car observed in the area at the time, which was later abandoned following a collision on Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, with a second saloon car. A spokesman added: 'Anyone with information is urged to contact Balbriggan Garda Station on 01 666 4500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. 'An Garda Siochana is aware that images and video footage related to this incident are circulating on social media and messaging platforms. We are appealing to anyone who receives this content to refrain from sharing or reposting it further.' A source told the Irish Mirror: 'Gardai are on high alert in the town now over fears of retaliation attacks.' Local councillor Tony Murphy added: 'It's horrendous for the family [of the deceased man] to wake up to this news. 'It's absolutely devastating for Balbriggan.' Locals gathered on Drogheda Street yesterday morning. 'It's absolutely shocking,' one told the Irish Mirror. 'I only heard about it all this morning when I saw news online. It's terrible.' Another said: 'We heard all the sirens on Monday night but didn't know what was happening.' 'God love his poor family. He is someone's child,' a third person added. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage .
