An inquest has been launched into the death of an 11-year-old Nigerian schoolboy who lost his life in what his family believe was a “tragic accident” in his home last week.
Metro Eireann contacted gardaí for more information about the boy’s death, but were informed that “the details of the case are a matter for the inquest, so we [the Garda] are unable to comment.”
The family were not in a position to give any further details of how Joseph Oguntuwase – who would have been 12 this October – lost his life, but what is known is that he died in his Tallaght home last Wednesday when his mother went to buy food for the family.
Yemisi Ojo, president of Integration of African Children in Ireland, said the whole community had been rocked by the news of the young boy’s death.
“The gardaí said they believe it was a tragic accident and that was all the information they gave us,” she told Metro Eireann. “The whole community is very sad and everyone is trying to console the mother, but she is just devastated.”
Ojo slammed Government policy, which she believes is breaking up families and putting children under unnecessary risk.
“A lot of women are in Ireland trying for residency but they are not allowed to have their partners with them,” she said, “This accident happened when the mother left the house briefly and who knows, if her partner was allowed to be here with her maybe Joseph would not have lost his life.”
