Thursday, August 18th, 8.15am
Detectives investigating the murder of 87-year-old Thomas O’Halloran in Ealing have made an arrest.
A 44-year-old man was arrested at an address in Southall in the early hours of Thursday, 18 August on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood who leads the investigation said: “I would like to thank the public for their overwhelming support following this horrific incident. As a result of the release of a CCTV image yesterday, an arrest has been made and this investigation is progressing at pace.
“Mr O’Halloran’s family have been updated with this development and continue to be supported by specially trained officers. I would reiterate their previous request that their privacy is respected by everyone as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.”
A murder investigation was launched after police were called at 16:06hrs on Tuesday, 16 August to Runnymede Gardens, at the junction with Cayton Road, Greenford to reports of a man with stab wounds.
Officers responded and gave emergency first aid until the arrival of the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance. Despite the best efforts of the emergency services, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
He has been named as Thomas O’Halloran, who lived in the Greenford area.
Officers believe that Mr O’Halloran was stabbed in Western Avenue shortly before 16:06hrs on Tuesday, 16 August before managing to travel 75 yards or so on his mobility scooter to Runnymede Gardens, where he flagged down a member of the public for help.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are leading the investigation.
Police in London are investigating the murder of an elderly man stabbed while riding a mobility scooter.
It has emerged that 87-year-old Thomas O’Halloran, who died on Cayton Road, Greenford in West London yesterday, was originally from Ennistymon, Co Clare. Mr O’Halloran was well known in the local areas of Greenford and Perivale as a busker.
He was attacked and killed at around 4.00pm in what police have described as a “shocking act of unprovoked violence”.
Police say they want to identify the man whose image was captured on CCTV as a matter of urgency. He is described as wearing grey shorts, a dark coloured T-shirt, a white baseball cap and white patterned builder style gloves.
Footage of a gravely wounded Mr O’Halloran has also emerged showing the pensioner apparently trying to make his way home after the attack.
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood, who is leading the investigation, said: “He is clearly a dangerous individual and people are advised not to approach him, but to call us immediately on 999 if they know him or have any information regarding his whereabouts.”
Speaking at the crime scene today Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson said: “We believe that Mr O’Halloran was stabbed on Western Avenue before managing to travel 75 yards or so on his mobility scooter to Runnymede Gardens where he flagged down a member of the public for help. So, please. If you saw anything we do need to hear from you.”
Clare Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway has said. “The news of the brutal murder of Thomas O’Halloran has shocked the people of Ennistymon and North Clare. It is almost unbelievable, that a man of his age using an electronic mobility device, was targeted and murdered in broad daylight. It is truly shocking.
“’Tommy’ as he was known left Ennistymon for London 71 years ago but travelled home almost every year until about 10 years ago.
“He was a very popular man in the Greenford area of London where he regularly played music and often busked for charity. Most recently, he raised money for the Ukrainian community living in London.
“I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to the O’Halloran family both in London and Ennistymon at this very difficult time for them,” Senator Conway said.
Detectives appeal for witnesses/cam footage after man in his 80s fatally stabbed in #Greenford #Ealing this afternoon.
Anyone who has information that could help police should 📱 101 ref CAD 4691/16 Aug.https://t.co/09R3rdQdzP
— Ealing Police (@ealingMPS) August 16, 2022