Victim of Balbriggan hit-and-run described as a ‘good soul' and a ‘true brother'

Sunday World

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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.