A talented boxer who died after trying to escape a knife attack by swimming across part of the River Liffey in Dublin has been named as Thomas Griffin.
Mr Griffin, who was in his 30s, was attacked at the War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge by a group of men at around 10.20pm on Saturday.
It is understood he suffered two blade injuries, including one to his face, before he tried to escape his attackers.
Mr Griffin managed to make his way to safety by crossing to the Chapelizod Road end of the river, close to the Garda Boat Club, where emergency services tended to him.
He was then rushed to hospital, but died from his injuries a day later. Gardaí are now awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination of Mr Griffin’s body to help them with their inquiries.
Tributes have been paid to the deceased, who was from Ballyfermot in Dublin.
Daithí Doolin, Sinn Féin councillor for the Ballyfermot area, urged anyone with any information about Mr Griffin’s death to come forward to help his family get answers over what happened that night.
He said: ‘I want to send deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Thomas Griffin. His death was tragic, made worse by the questions that surround his untimely death.
‘I would appeal to anyone who saw or heard anything on Saturday night, in or around Memorial Gardens, to please contact the Gardaí. It is hugely important that the family find out what happened to Thomas. His family and friends deserve to know what happened to their loved one.’
Professional boxer Luke Keeler also shared his heartfelt sympathies to the Griffin family after the loss of their loved one.
He wrote online: ‘RIP to old friend Thomas Griffin, one of the very best fighters to come out of St. Matthews Boxing Club and Ballyfermot. Thoughts with his family.’
Another mourner added: ‘One of the best. You will be missed more than ever.’ Compounding the agony for the family, Mr Griffin lost his brother in a similar incident that occurred 12 years ago.
In 2014, James Griffin, who was 26 at the time, was stabbed to death during a club event at the Celtic Gladiators Private Members Club in Ballyfermot.
During this incident, James Griffin was stabbed up to ten times in the neck and around the body. His attackers fled in a taxi, and his murder remains unsolved.
In a chilling echo of his brother’s death, Thomas Griffin’s killers are also understood to have left the Islandbridge area in a taxi, as gardaí attempted to hunt them down.
Security sources said that they believed the latest death in the capital was down to a disagreement between Thomas Griffin and people who were known to him.
Gardaí are now gathering CCTV from the area in order to identity the taxi which picked up the men who fled the area. They are also attempting to establish who was in the area at that time and why a group had assembled at the War Memorial Gardens in the first place.
A source said: ‘Mr Griffin was attacked by at least three other people, so far as gardaí know so far. He obviously felt so scared for his life that he jumped into the river and swam for his life.
‘He made it to the other side and by that time the emergency services had been notified. They went to his assistance but, unfortunately, he passed away less than 24 hours later.’
They added: ‘Gardaí are looking at this investigation as part of a local disagreement between Mr Griffin and others at the park. This does not have any hallmarks of a random attack.
‘He was known to gardaí and had several convictions, most notably for bringing gardaí on a high-speed chase while intoxicated and was jailed for over two years. This was back in 2021.
‘He had 46 previous convictions, including for assault causing harm, road traffic and public order offences.’
In a statement, a Garda spokesman said: ‘Gardaí in Ballyfermot are investigating all the circumstances surrounding a number of incidents at the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge, and on the Chapelizod Road in Dublin on the evening of Saturday, May 30, 2026.
‘Gardaí and emergency services attended following reports that a male had swam across the River Liffey to lands adjacent to Chapelizod Road, following an alleged incident of assault in the vicinity of the War Memorial Gardens at approximately 10.20pm.
‘The male, aged in his 30s, was treated at the scene by personnel from the Dublin Fire Brigade before being removed by ambulance to St James’ Hospital, where he subsequently passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026.
‘A post-mortem examination will be carried out. The investigation is being carried out under a senior investigating officer.
‘Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information in relation to this incident to come forward.’
