http://www.herald.ie/news/memorial-stone-to-slain-toyosi-hit-by-protests-29560600.html A memorial to stabbed teen Toyosi Shittabey is to be modified by Fingal Council following objections.

A council spokesperson, however, added "we have no plans to remove the memorial" which was erected this week.

Objections have been lodged with the council over the granite stone commemorating the life of the murdered 15-year-old at an open space at Park View Manor in Tyrellstown in West Dublin, not far from where the teenager lived.

RACIAL

Toyosi was fatally stabbed three years ago on Good Friday in what has been described as a row with racial undertones.

The Fingal spokesperson explained: "It was obviously a very difficult and emotional time for Toyosi's family and they approached us to see if there was anything we could do in his memory.

"In conjunction with the community gardai and councillor, it was agreed that it would be appropriate to lay a memorial beside the new all-weather pitch, as he had been an avid footballer." Fingal Council has confirmed that it had received a number of calls to its operations department objecting to the memorial.

One caller to the Herald said she found it "very distressing" that the stone had been allowed and added "the council had no right to put that where children play".

She also questioned whether there had been planning permission for the memorial.

The Fingal spokesperson said the stone did not require planning permission and had been put up by the council "following a number of meetings with Toyosi's family."

In response to the objections the council spokesperson added: "We have been in touch with the company who erected the memorial to see how it can be modified.

MEMORIES

"It was originally envisaged that the memorial would be almost flat to the ground or at a slight angle."

The third-year student at Hartstown Community School, who was the second eldest of six children, died just a short distance from his home.

He had been living in Ireland for the past 11 years and was passionate about sport, especially football and athletics.

He played for Shelbourne's under-15s team.

A man accused of his murder was acquitted of the charge after the trial judge directed the jury to find him not guilty.

The granite stone carries Toyosi's photograph and refers to the happy memories of days together with special thoughts of the dead teenager.

csheehy@herald.ie