Man, 44, arrested on suspicion of murder after Irish busker on mobility scooter stabbed to death in London

A man, 44, has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an Irishman was stabbed to death on his mobility scooter in west London.

The man was arrested in Southhall, west London, in the early hours of Thursday and remains in police custody.

Thomas O'Halloran, 87, was attacked and stabbed at about 4pm on Tuesday in Western Avenue.

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The Clare man attempted to flee the scene of the gruesome crime and travelled 70 metres before a member of the public came to his aide.

Police and emergency services rushed to the scene, but the busker was pronounced dead a short time later.

He is survived by his brothers George and Richard, sister Bridget, and many nieces and nephews who live in the west Clare town.

Officers had earlier released images of a man "fleeing the scene" in Cayton Road "armed with a knife".

Mr O'Halloran was known for playing the accordion outside his local supermarket to raise money for war-torn Ukraine, with police describing him as a "very well known and a much-loved member" of the community.

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson said at the scene yesterday that Mr O'Halloran was killed in a "shocking act" of "unprovoked violence".

He told the PA news agency: "He was coming back from Perivale to play his accordion and make some money for his family and he was stabbed to death."

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Eastwood 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."

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