Irish PM ‘appalled’ by Canadian tourist’s death after alleged attack

MONTREAL — Ireland’s prime minister says he is “absolutely horrified” by an attack in the country’s capital that left a Montreal tourist dead.

Simon Harris described the death of Neno Dolmajian in Dublin on Wednesday as “reprehensible” and “horrific” and told parliament the death was now being investigated as a murder.

“I am absolutely horrified by the recent vicious attack in Dublin city center which resulted in the death of a young man, Neno Dolmajian, and my thoughts are with his loved ones,” he said. “A man who came from Montreal to, as you say, enjoy the best of our city, the best of our country, who came here on his vacation.”

The Irish National Police confirmed on Tuesday that a 40-year-old man had died in hospital after an attack which took place on O’Connell Street and Cathal Brugha Street in the early hours of June 23.

Police provided few details, but said in an initial news release that officers on patrol were alerted to two incidents involving “a number of individuals” around 1 a.m. and arrested a man aged 20 years and another 30 years. The victim was taken to hospital in serious condition, where he died over a week later.

Police said on Tuesday that four men have now been arrested in connection with the incident and two of them have been charged.

Police have not identified the victim, who has been named by politicians and the media and described as a 41-year-old Canadian tourist.

Opposition Leader Mary Lou McDonald said Dolmajian died in hospital “with his parents and sister at his bedside” after being severely beaten. She challenged Harris to do more about anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and gang activity which she said was creating “a daily climate of fear and intimidation” in Dublin city centre.

“The vicious attack which resulted in the death of Mr Dolmajian highlights once again the hard reality that our city center is not safe and I say this as a very proud Dubliner,” she said.

Global Affairs Canada said only that it is “aware of the death of a Canadian citizen in Ireland” and is providing consular assistance to the family.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2024.

The Canadian Press