THE heartbroken parents of Toyosi Shittabey, who was stabbed to death in Tyrrelstown two years ago, have spoken of their devastation after a man was acquitted on a charge of murdering their son.
In an interview with Northside People, Bola and Segun Shittabey described how they endured the heartbreaking six-day murder trial, which concluded last Wednesday (December 12) when Judge Barry White directed that the accused be acquitted on a charge of murdering 15-year-old Toyosi on April 2010.
Toyosi, a promising soccer player who moved to Ireland from Nigeria when he was four, died after being stabbed while he and four of his friends were on their way back home from the National Aquatic Centre.
The popular schoolboy, who played for the Shelbourne FC U15 soccer team, was stabbed in the heart during an altercation at The Boulevard, Mount Eustace, in Tyrrelstown.
Speaking after the case concluded, Bola Shittabey said she was devastated at the outcome.
“I’m so disappointed and sad that the case ended the way it did,
? she told Northside People.
“We were at the court each day, which was very difficult to sit through, but we didn’t have a choice – we had to be there for our son.
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Bola added:
“I will never get closure on what happened to my lovely, innocent, young boy.
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The Shittabey family are still trying to come to terms with Toyosi’s death and according to Bola the heartache does not ease with time.
“I pray to God for Toyosi always. I miss him so much,
? she said.
“He was a good child, a good footballer, a good friend.
“The last two years have been a nightmare. It doesn’t get easier.
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The shocking death of Toyosi shook the Tyrrelstown community to the core and sparked outrage and condemnation on a national level.
A commemoration rally took place at the Garden of Remembrance in the days following his death where 2,000 people of all nationalities stood together.
Local councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) sympathised with the Shittabey family after the conclusion of the court case.
“They waited two years for the case to come up and Toyosi’s friends had to go through the trauma of giving evidence,
? he said.
“We have to bear in mind that there has been a trial and this acquittal of the man accused of the murder has been the outcome of the justice process.
“Sadly, no matter what happens nothing will bring Toyosi back. His death has left a lasting impact on Tyrrelstown.
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