Irishman stabbed to death after night out in Amsterdam

Isobel Conway and Sean Keane
01 September 2005

An Irishman was fatally stabbed after a night out in Amsterdam in what Dutch police described as "a savage act of violence".

Damien Mooney (26), a barman in the Dutch city, was stabbed in an upmarket area as he walked to his flat after dawn on Sunday.

Dutch police were yesterday appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the 6 ft-plus man being attacked at Koninginplein at about 6.15am on returning from a disco.

His elder brother Liam flew to Amsterdam yesterday to identify Mr Mooney's body, expected to be flown back to Ireland within days.

From Cloneen, near Clogh, Co Kilkenny, Mr Mooney had been working for six months at O'Donnell's Irish pub on Ferdinand Bol Straat. His father Martin was being comforted by family and friends.

Dutch police played down a report that Mr Mooney was mugged. A police spokesman said information suggested an argument developed into a struggle in which Mr Mooney was stabbed. They believe the assailant and at least one other person fled the scene.

The Irish Embassy is assisting with repatriation of the body

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It is a real tragedy, An Irish fellow with guts tryed to defend him self, but a junkie stabbed the poor guy, yeah we alll know he just should have handled the money to the robber, but he decided to fight and stand up for his honour. Now this could happen in every big city, it does not mean that Amsterdam is a violent city, but ít is a tragedy. I condole