Somali Teen Charged With Murder of Ukrainian Refugee in Dublin

A 17-year-old boy from Somalia has been charged with the murder of 17-year-old Ukrainian national Vadym Davydenko in Dublin, according to RTÉ, Ireland’s public broadcaster.

The hearing before the Dublin District Court on October 18 was held under heightened security measures, with police officers in protective gear present in the courtroom.

According to RTÉ, the accused appeared in court accompanied by a Somali interpreter and a representative from Tusla, Ireland’s Child and Family Agency.

Detective Sergeant Mark Quill told the court that the teen “made no reply” when the charge was read to him. The defense did not apply for bail but requested that the defendant receive immediate psychiatric and medical care while in custody — a request granted by the judge.

The boy was remanded to Oberstown Children Detention Campus in Dublin and is scheduled to appear again before the Children’s Court on October 21. His lawyer asked that he be present in person rather than via video link at the next hearing.

According to Irish police, the incident occurred on October 15 at a temporary housing complex for asylum seekers in north Dublin. A dispute broke out between two 17-year-olds — Davydenko and the Somali teen — which ended in a fatal stabbing.

Medical personnel attempted to save the Ukrainian boy’s life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The suspect, who also sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was arrested and hospitalized. A female staff member who intervened was injured as well.

Ireland’s Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and other officials expressed shock over the killing, RTÉ reported. The Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin said it is working to arrange the repatriation of Davydenko’s body to Ukraine.

Friends told The Irish Times and Daily Mail that Davydenko had recently arrived in Ireland and dreamed of becoming a cybersecurity specialist to help Ukraine’s defense efforts against Russia.

Earlier, it was reported that a 23‑year‑old Ukrainian refugee, Iryna Zarutska, was killed at a light‑rail station in Charlotte, North Carolina (USA) after sustaining fatal stab wounds.

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