TRIBUTES have been paid to a young footie star who was knifed to death with a pal saying: He had the world at his feet. Now it has all been taken away.
Innocent Josh Dunne, 16, from Coultry Green, Ballymun, was stabbed a number of times in the East Road area of East Wall in north Dublin at around 9.20pm on Tuesday.
Tragic Josh was knifedCredit: Facebook
Josh on the pitch with BohsCredit: Stephen Burke (Bohemian FC)
Pals bring flowers to killing sceneCredit: Collins Photo Agency
Gardai believe the talented ­teenager who played for St Kevins and Bohemians football clubs was attacked after he tried to stop a row over a stolen bike.
Its understood the vicious ­dispute erupted after two delivery workers spotted a thief who was on a scooter and wearing a ­helmet nicking a bike from outside Aldi.
The pair chased the thief before catching him and allegedly attacking him.
The owner of the bike also gave chase.
The Irish Sun can reveal cops have since interviewed two of the men who gave chase.
Its then believed Josh, who was in the area with a close friend, also aged 16, tried to stop the row.
HORROR INCIDENT
During the horror incident, he was stabbed a number of times in the chest while his pal was also knifed.
Both teens were rushed to hospital before Josh lost his fight for life.
His mate remains in a critical condition and has suffered a punctured lung.
The suspected thief who was also stabbed during the row later presented himself to ­hospital for treatment.
No arrests have been made as part of the Garda investigation and officers have yet to uncover the murder weapon.
A source told the Irish Sun: Josh was a completely innocent teenager who wasnt involved in anything and now he has lost his life in a brutal attack.
Its still early days in the ­investigation but it looks as if Josh and his friend tried to break up a fight between three other people.
The incident has nothing to do with any public order concerns in the area and involves people from outside the East Wall area.
The community is also very lucky that they arent dealing with another death as a result of this attack.
As the Garda probe continues, the stab victims devastated brother, Dean Dunne, said: I love you ­forever little brother my little/big brother. Ill always love you.
‘MY BEAUTIFUL ANGEL’
Anguished sister Jade last night hailed Josh as her hero.
She said: I hope youre up there scoring another goal, youre a hero Joshua.
The young woman declared her tragic sibling will always be my baby brother.
Jade added: Rest in peace my beautiful angel, I love you Joshy Woshy.
Last night, Joshs heartbroken mum Diane was being comforted by friends and family.
One friend told us: Diane is absolutely devastated.
She loves her kids to bits and was so proud of Josh. She has lost her baby boy, her pride and joy.
He was really talented at football, he had the world at his feet. Now it has all been taken away.
Josh was so popular, he had so many friends, the Ballymun area is in grief.
Prolific goal scorer Josh played for St Kevins Boys and Bohemians and the young ace had been on trials for Dundee in Scotland.
St Kevins director of football Ken Donohoe yesterday said: Josh was a smashing kid and this is such a tragic incident for his family.
“He was well known here, well liked and he certainly had the talent.
‘WE’RE ALL JUST DEVASTATED’
He was so appreciative of the opportunities available to him at the club and were all just ­devastated for him and his family.
His poor mother is distraught and our thoughts and prayers are with them.
And Bohemians Football Club spokesman Luke ORiordan told how everyone at the club had been devastated by the teens death.
He added: Josh was a talented and well liked young footballer, who will be sadly missed by all of his former teammates and coaches.
We extend our deepest condolences to those former teammates and coaches and to all his family, friends and schoolmates.
This is an extremely difficult time for all of Joshs teammates. The loss of someone so young in such circumstances will be hard for them to comprehend.
Bohemian Football Club encourages them, or their parents on their behalf, to come forward and seek help if they are struggling.
We will do all we can to support our players, past or present.
Garda technical experts returned to the scene of the killing yesterday as part of their investigation.
Cop at cordoned off scene of horror stabbing yesterdayCredit: Niall Carson / PA Wire
Flowers were left near the spot where Josh was slainCredit: Niall Carson / PA Wire
‘ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING’
One shocked local resident told the Irish Sun: Its absolutely heartbreaking what happened, nobody fully knows all the details yet but either way somebody lost their life.
Gardai have urged anyone with information on the teenagers ­killing to come forward and for motorists to check their dash-cams for any helpful footage.
Officers are also trawling through CCTV from before and after the fatal incident.
A spokesperson ­yesterday said they are currently investigating all the circumstances of a fatal assault and associated incidents.
They added: Anyone with information should contact Store Street Garda Station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Phone Number 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Local Independent Councillor Anthony Flynn, who was one of the first people on the scene, last night told how the community remained in shock over the incident.
He said: We have a family in mourning and our thoughts and prayers are with them and everyone affected by this incident.
A family has lost a child and the Gardai must be given the room and the full resources to investigate the full facts surrounding this ­incident.
‘RAISED CONCERNS’
The community remains in shock and what we need to see is a visual Garda presence and a community policing response to reassure the people of the north east inner city.
I want to commend Dublin Fire Brigade and the gardai for their efforts and professionalism when they arrived.
I have raised concerns about the issue of public order in the area and this is something the Gardai will need to address.
“People also need to be mindful that a 16-year-old boy is dead.
Tuesday nights stabbing was the sixth incident involving knives to take place in the north inner city in the last week.
The footballer was stabbed as a man was attacked on OConnell Street and another man was attacked in the Talbot Street area.
A fundraiser has also been launched to help Joshs family pay for his funeral.
The fundraiser says: Hey everyone as you all heard terrible news about Josh Dunne.
I was talking to his sister and family be happy for are help.
So everyone I ask if we all can help with something small no words can put into how we all feel we have great community no ­problem in helping.    
Garda Technical Bureau examine blood stains on groundCredit: Collins Photo Agency