FACE OF TRAGIC STAB DAD DESSIE; Teenager charged over knife killing.

Byline: By DARREN BOYLE, Crime Reporter

THIS is the tragic father-of-two who was knifed to death in the street just yards from his sleeping children.

Dessie Kimmins, 41, from Drogheda, Co Louth, was stabbed several times in the chest following a row outside his ex-girlfriend Anne Gildea's house.

Their two children, Nicole, eight, and five-year-old Chantelle, were asleep inside the house at the time.

It is understood the victim was fatally injured following a row in Rathmullen Park on Sunday morning.

Mr Kimmins' was cradled by his mother as he lay dying in the street.

He was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, but was dead on arrival

A 19-year-old man appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with the murder.

Keith Cunningham, of Halpins Terrace, Drogheda, was brought before a special sitting of Drogheda District Court charged with assault causing harm.

Judge Flann Brennan was told the accused said "no comment for the minute" when the charge was put to him.

The court heard he may face other more serious charges.

Cunningham, who did not apply for bail, is to re-appear before the same court on Friday.

Mr Kimmins' death comes after the vicious killing of Darren McKeown in Drogheda on St Stephen's Day morning.

The 29-year-old was beaten by a group of up to 20 teenagers.

So ferocious was the attack that an imprint from the sole of the shoe of one of the attackers was left embedded on Mr McKeown's face.

But despite that clue it is feared potential witnesses might be too frightened to come forward.

One local said: "It is like nobody saw anything. There is a bad crowd here and no one wants to go up against them."

There have been no arrests in connection with the attack.

Gardai have appealed for anyone who may have seen the attack on Mr McKeown to come forward in the "strictest confidence".

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CAPTION(S):

KILLED: Dessie Kimmins was stabbed in street and, below, scene in Rathmullen Park in Drogheda; CHARGED: Keith Cunningham at court yesterday in connection with the murder of Mr Dessie Kimmins Picture: CIARA WILKINSON; DEAD: Darren McKeown