Over the weekend, a man was arrested in connection with the death of a young Dublin mother. The man, who is in his late 20s, is currently being held for interrogation at Finglas Garda Station.
Sandra Boyd, 36, was shot in the chest at least once at a house on Collins Place at around 8.40 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. Gardai are investigating if she was killed accidentally. Ms. Boyd was treated at the scene before being transported to the Mater Hospital, however, despite medical workers’ best efforts, she died as a result of her injuries.
Following the death of the mother of five children – four boys and a newborn girl – the community of Finglas in north Dublin have been left ‘overcome with grief.’
Gardai have launched an investigation into her death, and they are working to determine ‘all the circumstances surrounding her death. According to a security source, one line of inquiry being looked at is whether Sandra was accidentally shot in or near the back of her family house. While gardai claim to be keeping an open mind in this investigation, they are following a clear path.
They believe someone in the house had illegal access to a firearm, and Ms. Boyd may have intervened before she was shot. The possibility that the gun was accidentally fired has not been ruled out. It’s believed that a lot of people were inside the house when the firearm was accidentally discharged.
The people that were there are now working with detectives, and a firearm was found on the property. It was the second shooting on Collins Place in less than a week, according to neighbors. A house on the road was shot last Tuesday, March 15, breaking its windows.
At least one gunshot was also fired at another property. It’s unclear whether this shooting and the one on Saturday night are connected. Last night, the scene of Saturday’s incident was preserved, and the Garda Technical Bureau was conducting a technical examination.
Ms. Boyd’s body was sent to the city morgue, and state pathologist Dr. SallyAnne Collis conducted a post-mortem yesterday. There have been no arrests. Officers are looking for anyone with information on the incident to contact any Garda station, according to a spokesman for the Garda.
‘A Garda SÃochána are also appealing for any person driving in the area of Collins Park, Ballygall Road West, or any adjacent/ surrounding roads between 8 pm and 9 pm [on Saturday] – particularly drivers of any vehicle or other roads users who may have video footage (dashcam, GoPro or other) – to contact us.’
Ms. Boyd’s ‘loving mother’s family has led the flow of tributes sent to her after her tragic death. Megan, her heartbroken older sister, wrote: ‘Sisters are forever, but mine was taken right before our eyes. I will hold your boys and baby girl as tight as you always did. Your love was endless.
I love you so much.’ Sandra’s partner, Darren Noonan, also expressed his grief, stating: ‘She was my world, I’m heartbroken.’ Mr. Noonan shared many photos of Sandra in another post, one of which was taken on St. Patrick’s Day and showed her holding her baby daughter.
Local councilor Mary Callaghan described Ms. Boyd’s death as ‘an absolute tragedy. ‘The community is shocked and saddened by this tragic event. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends, and in particular with her children,’ she said. ‘I first heard what happened on Saturday night, and while I don’t know the family, I’m sure the community will rally around them and provide every ounce of support they can. Keith Connolly, councilor for the Ballymun-Finglas area, said the incident should not overshadow ‘the great work being done locally.
‘I’m unsure of the details, but I think it’s important for people to realize that so much good goes on in the locality and that gun crime is carried out by just a small minority,’ he said. ‘What happened on Saturday night is a terrible tragedy and my deepest sympathies go to this poor woman’s children.’
