The family of a Ukrainian teenager tragically killed in an attack at a Dublin refugee center has honored his memory, describing him as a “kind, intelligent, and well-mannered” young man.
Seventeen-year-old Vadym Davydenko lost his life last week during what authorities have labeled a “serious incident” at a Tusla-operated emergency accommodation facility located in Grattan Wood, Donaghmede.
In addition to Vadym, a teenage boy and a woman sustained injuries in the incident, though their conditions are not considered life-threatening. They were promptly taken to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of a teenager, who is now a suspect in Vadym’s murder case.
In heartfelt tributes shared on social media, Vadym’s family expressed their grief, noting that he had recently completed his schooling and had relocated to Ireland with hopes of starting anew.
“He was just 17, he had just graduated from school and left to search for a better life in Ireland,” his cousin shared, capturing the family’s sorrow and the young man’s aspirations.
‘He was kind, very intelligent and mannered, very fair. On November 1, he was supposed to celebrate his coming of age, but instead of greetings, parents are heartbroken, they do not know how to pick up and bury their child’s body now.’
Emergency services were called to the Tusla facility shortly after 11am, where they found several young people in distress.
Gardaí confirmed that one teenage male – understood to be of Somali origin – was arrested after receiving medical treatment. Officers have said they are not seeking anyone else in connection with the case.
Vadym Davydenko, 17, died last week following what authorities described as a ‘serious incident’ at a Tusla-run emergency accommodation facility in Grattan Wood, Donaghmede
The accommodation is part of Tusla’s special emergency arrangements programme, which houses unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Ireland. Vadym had only been in the country four days before the fatal incident occurred.
A source told the Irish Daily Mail: ‘It will be a number of days before investigating Gardaí can talk to the suspect to try and piece together why this happened because he’s going to be under medical supervision for a while. He can’t be questioned in that state.’
A female staff member who reportedly tried to intervene in the attack was also hospitalised with defensive wounds.
At a memorial service held by Dublin’s Ukrainian Orthodox community on Friday, mourners gathered to remember Vadym’s short life.
Ukrainian priest Serhii Danilov said: ‘It is very tragic, he tried to find a safe place and here he found his death.’
Parishioner Varvara Fadieieva added: ‘We hope that we can ask God to give some comfort also to his family because I believe it’s so hard for them and of course it’s very painful to see such a young man die like that.’
Michael Baskin, head of the Ukraine Crisis Centre in Ireland, told attendees: ‘He came to Ireland for safety and for peace. He wasn’t here on holidays, despite what some people might think.’
A spokesperson for the Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin confirmed that Vadym’s body will be repatriated to Ukraine once investigations conclude.
‘We express our deepest condolences to Vadym’s family and loved ones during this time of profound grief,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The embassy is in close contact with An Garda Síochána, who are currently investigating the circumstances of the incident. We are providing consular assistance to the family and are making the necessary arrangements for the repatriation of Vadym’s body to Ukraine.’
A local Facebook fundraiser has already raised more than €1,300 towards the estimated €8,000 cost of bringing Vadym home.
Following the tragedy, calls are growing for an independent inquiry into how a fatal attack could happen inside a Tusla-run children’s facility.
Tanya Ward, chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, said: ‘This is really devastating and distressing news. At the heart of this is a 17-year-old boy who was in Ireland on his own.
In emotional posts shared on social media, Vadym’s relatives said he had only recently finished school and moved to Ireland to start a new life
‘It is vitally important that the next step is an independent review by the National Review Panel to establish the circumstances of the death and whether there was any possibility to prevent it from happening.’
Donaghmede councillor Micheál MacDonncha, of Sinn Féin, said Tusla must urgently investigate the circumstances.
‘It’s essential Tusla enquire how this happened and if the place was resourced adequately,’ he said.
‘It raises concerns that a private company was involved in the running of this centre. Regardless of the status of those living there in terms of nationality, what’s more important is that they were juveniles.’
Tusla later confirmed that the Donaghmede unit was ‘staffed on a 24-hour basis’ to provide care for four unaccompanied minors. The other residents have since been moved to alternative accommodation.
A source close to Vadym told reporters that he was ‘quite into sport’ and had been studying IT.
He had dreams of working in cybersecurity and one day using his skills to help defend Ukraine ‘on the frontlines in a cyberdivision’.
He also had a girlfriend back home who is said to be ‘devastated’ by his death.
