'See ye on the other side granda' - Grandson pays tribute to Josh Fowler, 63, stabbed to death outside Dublin home
Fowler, who was known to gardai and had recently served a two and a half year prison sentence for cultivating cannabis, was stabbed amidst a struggle with youths who it is believed called to his door in Dunsink Green
A murder investigation has been launched after the father of a deceased hitman was stabbed to death outside his West Dublin home.
Josh Fowler (63) received a single stab wound after answering his front door and getting into a scuffle with a number of youths at around 12:30am on Tuesday morning.
Fowler, who was known to gardai and had recently served a two and a half year prison sentence for cultivating cannabis, was stabbed amidst a struggle with youths who it is believed called to his door in Dunsink Green - looking for a younger associate.
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Sources say it is feared the younger associate was wanted over a debt - but that Mr Fowler - who was not their intended target - got in the way, confronted the gang and was killed as a result.
Fowler, whose real first name is Anthony, is also the father of suspected hitman Shane Fowler (35), who was killed in a horrific motorbike crash while on his way to carry out a gangland hit on the mobster known as ‘Mr Flashy’ in May 2018.
Shane Fowler died when his motorbike struck a pole in the Dunsink Park area - and as emergency services tended to him at the scene - a person was seen removing a suspected 9mm handgun from the area.
Sources say gardai believed that Shane Fowler, who was embroiled in a bitter gangland dispute with ‘Mr Flashy’ was on his way to try and kill the infamous Finglas mobster when he crashed.
Gardai have now launched a murder investigation in connection with the death of Josh Fowler.
However, his murder has no connection to the prior feud with ‘Mr Flashy’ and is understood to be connected to a much more personal dispute between younger associates.
Several tributes have since appeared on social media for Josh, including from his grandson who wrote on Facebook:
“Can’t believe I’m writing this so soon. I can’t believe you’re gone, feels like a bad dream, rest in paradise Josh you deserve the best bed up there.
“Love ye to bits boss see ye on the other side Granda.”
“Horrible news to wake up two rip josh fowler thinking of your sons glen kaide and your youngest boy and all your grandchildren may you rip back with Shane now,” another person wrote.
Another pal wrote: “RIP Josh, you were one of a kind with the biggest heart, will miss our late night chats, please look over your family at this very sad time.”
Josh Fowler is also the father of Kaide Fowler - who made headlines in 2021 when he received a six month suspended sentence for trying to smuggle €50 worth of the sedative tablets into his father - who was at the time serving his sentence in Mountjoy Prison.
Dublin District Court heard Kaide Fowler realised it was foolish and “regretted it the minute he did it.”
The court heard he had been bringing the tablets in to his father, who had been prescribed them.
Defence solicitor Yvonne Bambury said a decision had been made by the prison service that if someone was on benzodiazepines prior to going into custody “they would not give it to you in custody.”
In a statement issued on Tuesday morning gardai said they were investigating “all circumstances” surrounding the death of the man.
“Gardaí are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of a man following a fatal assault in Finglas on Tuesday, 26th November, 2024.
“Shortly before 12:30am, Gardaí and emergency services responded to reports of an assault outside a residence on Dunsink Green, Finglas. A man in his 60s was treated at the scene and subsequently pronounced deceased at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown” they said.
Officers added that the scene at Dunsink Green remains preserved for forensic examination.
The Coroner has been notified and the Garda Technical Bureau and Office of the State Pathologist have been requested to assist in the investigation.
A postmortem examination will be scheduled, they continued.
A Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been appointed to lead the investigation and an incident room has been established at Finglas Garda Station. A Family Liaison Officer (FLO) will be assigned to support the family of the deceased.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward. They are particularly appealing to those with video footage and motorists who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time to contact them.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on (01) 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on (1800) 666 111 or any Garda Station.
No arrests have been made at this time. Investigations are ongoing.
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