Park users reassured after death stabbing (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Park users reassured after death stabbing

9:49am Friday 10th September 2004 in News By Hannah Farquharson

USERS of Richmond Park have been urged to carry on as normal after the arrest of a man for the fatal stabbing of a cyclist last week.

Denis Finnegan, of Dryburgh Road, Putney, was stabbed several times, including once through the heart, just 200 metres from East Sheen Gate at around 10am on Thursday, September 2.

He died three hours later after being airlifted to a west London hospital.

The 2,500-acre royal park was immediately sealed off and a police helicopter searching the area spotted a man running through the park.

John Barrett, of Woking Close, Putney, was arrested and charged with the murder. He appeared at Kingston Magistrates' Court on Friday, September 3.

The unemployed 41-year-old is expected to reappear at the Old Bailey on September 13.

As police carried out forensic investigations, the park remained closed until 7am on Saturday, September 4.

It is believed Mr Finnegan, who was single, had been cycling along a gravel path when he was attacked. A member of the public saw the incident and called the police who immediately scrambled a helicopter.

Brian Baker, chairman of the Friends of Richmond Park reassured park users: "It appears to be very much a one off incident. Broadly speaking, the parks are very, very safe.

"I have spoken to people who regularly walk and are in the park, sometimes in the early morning, and cycle through in the dark and they are certainly not going to stop doing that. We urge people not to give up any habits and carry to on."

A spokesman for the Royal Parks echoed these reassurances adding: "The restructuring of the Royal Parks Constabulary means the police contingent in Richmond and Bushy is at full strength and includes eight new police community support officers (PCSOs)."

A dog walker in the park believes he had a lucky escape from Mr Finnegan's attacker on the same morning.

Simon Fowler, the lead singer of rock band Ocean Colour Scene, was in the park when he was approached by a man who uttered the words, "stay lucky".

Speaking after the incident Mr Fowler, 39, said: "When this man first approached me in the park, he looked uneasy and suspicious, there was something about his demeanour that led me to be automatically on my guard.

"It was only after I heard the news on the radio that it suddenly dawned on me that this was possibly the suspect the police were looking for in connection with the murder.

"I felt very numb at first, I don't think I will forget those two words, 'stay lucky'."

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to contact the incident room on 020 7321 9251 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.