British police are investigating the murder of a 14-year-old schoolboy with Irish roots who was stabbed during a row with a group of youths in north London on Tuesday evening.
Martin Dinnegan, of Holloway, north London, whose father, James, is from Mullingar, Co Westmeath, was attacked as he walked to a youth club in Holloway at about 8.30pm.
The London ambulance service treated him for stab wounds but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 9.07pm.
According to police, the incident happened after Martin and a group of friends became involved with another group of youths, following a verbal exchange. Up to 20 youths were present.
It was initially believed he may have been killed for his mobile phone. However, there were reports yesterday he was targeted for looking at the other group of youths "the wrong way".
The victim was a student at St Aloysius's College in Highgate, where he was yesterday described as a "talented" pupil.
School headmaster Tom Mannion, from Galway, said Martin's death was "harrowing" and the school was shattered by the loss. He said he and the local priest had visited the family yesterday.
"They were so pleased to see Irishmen there. But I couldn't stay, I had to come away. It was too upsetting," he said.
Mr Mannion said the family regularly holidayed in Mullingar. Only this week he had spoken to Martin's mother, Lorraine, about how well her son was doing.
Speaking at the scene of her son's murder, Mrs Dinnegan said she felt "terribly numb". "I just hope the police can catch them," she said. "He's a lovely boy, he doesn't deserve this, nobody deserves this, it's horrible.
"One of Martin's friends phoned my eldest son to say Martin had been stabbed and they didn't think he was breathing. I've just been speaking to one of his friends - apparently they were looking at each other the wrong way."