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Ballymun

Josh Dunne's family pay tribute to a 'happy boy' who was 'a dreamer and a do-er'

Youth football clubs around Ireland have been paying tribute to the 16-year-old, who died on Tuesday night.

LAST UPDATE | 28 Jan 2021

unnamed (3) Stephen Burke / Bohemians Stephen Burke / Bohemians / Bohemians

THE FAMILY OF Josh Dunne, the 16-year-old boy who died after an altercation in Dublin’s north inner city on Tuesday night, paid tribute to the teenager as a “caring, amazing boy” who was “a dreamer and a do-er”.  

It is understood Josh was attempting to stop the fight at East Wall when he was fatally stabbed.

Josh Dunne balloons 007 Balloons in the colours of Bohemian FC Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

The family of Josh Dunne gave the following statement today:

“Josh was an amazing, happy and talented boy who was tragically taken from our lives at just 16 years old. Josh’s smile lit up every room he walked into and he had a promising career ahead of him on the football pitch.

“We would like to thank the public for their kind messages of support and the community of Ballymun who have rallied around to support us at this sad time.

We will always remember our Josh as a happy, caring and amazing boy. A dreamer and a do-er.

The family asked the media to be allowed to grieve in peace, and said they would release a further statement in the coming days.

Josh Dunne scene 005 Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

Youth soccer clubs from around the country have left tributes to the young footballer, who had played for the Dublin club Bohemians Under-17s and St Kevin’s Boys Football Club. 

A GoFundMe has been set up to raise money for Josh’s family, and had a goal of €2,000; at the time of writing it had raised over €26,000.

Josh Dunne balloons 005 Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

Josh Dunne balloons 009 Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie Leah Farrell / Rollingnews.ie / Rollingnews.ie

With reporting from Garreth MacNamee.