A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after beloved busker Thomas O’Halloran was stabbed to death on a mobility scooter in west London.
On Tuesday, the 87-year old grandfather of the victim was attacked and killed in Greenford while trying to raise money for the victims of the Ukraine War. This is the sixth murder investigation in Britain in just four days.
He was often seen busking with a harmonica and accordion outside a Tesco store and South Greenford railway station.
The pensioner was described by many as being a member in Ealing of the Irish community and was well-liked.
Yesterday officers published images showing a “dangerous person” fleeing from the scene where Mr O’Halloran was attacked.
Today, the Metropolitan Police said that a suspect was arrested on a Southall property. He is currently being held in custody.
The investigation is being led by Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood. He said that he would like to express his gratitude for the overwhelming support of the public following the horrific incident. Yesterday’s release of CCTV images led to an arrest and the investigation continues at a rapid pace.
“Mr O’Halloran’s relatives have been informed about this development, and are supported by specially-trained officers.”
Thomas O’Halloran (87), was killed while riding his mobility scooter.
On Tuesday, Mr O’Halloran’s scooter was adorned with the Ukrainian flag’s colors. He was in Greenford
After officers received reports of a stabbing at Cayton Road in Greenford (west London), on Tuesday, they were dispatched to the scene and declared Mr O’Halloran dead.
According to detectives, Mr O’Halloran may have been stabbed at Western Avenue just before he managed to drive 75 yards to Runnymede Gardens on his mobility scooter. He flagged down an officer of the public to help him.
Originaly from Ennistymon (Co Clare), Mr O’Halloran is now living in Clare. After the passing of Mr O’Halloran, Clare residents expressed shock. The family of his deceased brother and sister are his nieces as well.
Martin Conway, a local Fine Gael Senator said that Mr O’Halloran had visited Ireland frequently and that his passing has caused ‘deep shock’ and sadness in his community of Ennistymon in north Clare.
According to Mr Conway, the musician and passionate performer was very popular in Greenford. He often performed for charity.
Video footage on social media shows O’Halloran begging for money to help Ukraine in the months prior to his murder.
Yesterday’s aerial shot of Greenford, where Mr O’Halloran had been stabbed
The scene was captured by Metropolitan Police officers yesterday. They were summoned at 4pm Tuesday.
The video was posted online June and shows him smiling while playing the accordion. He also has a small blue and yellow collection container strapped to his frame.
Yesterday’s shocking footage was released. The He was a much-loved and respected busker, who disappeared 20 minutes earlier than he was assaulted in broad daylight along an alleyway to the A40 Western Avenue. This footage was recorded at 3.48pm, as he passed by the newsagent near the superstore.
After Mr O’Halloran had been ambushed while he was heading towards Greenford Station, a mile from his home, police were summoned 18 minutes later at 4.06pm.
Stephen Pound was a Labour ex-MP who paid tributes to the pensioner. He knew the former constituent from his frequent public appearance in the vicinity.
GB News told him: “Tom was a true local character. He was often seen outside Greenford station, playing accordion or harmonica.
“He was sweet and a lovely man. “He was loved and respected, but he also was an important character who could cement an area.
This comes after Sadiq Khan, London’s Mayor, was under increasing pressure to clamp down on violence crime.
After six killings within four days, and 59 this year, Tories charged the Left-wing leader with doing “next to nothing”.
Kit Malthouse was a former minister of police and asked for Khan’s consideration to introduce tougher measures than those introduced by Boris Johnson as London mayor.
Mr Malthouse, now Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told LBC radio station that London ‘has been plagued by knife crime in the past and seems to be in the grip of it again’ – adding: ‘I just hope that the mayor starts to take this as seriously as we did all those years ago and leans in hard.’
Anybody with video footage is invited to send it through an online form. Anybody who has information about the victim or the suspect in this image is requested to contact the incident room at 020 8358 300, quoting 4691/16AUG. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 112 or by Click here