Heartbreaking incident in Hackney leaves local community in shock; Mother charged with murder as family expresses grief

In a devastating incident, four-year-old Kobi Macharia-Dooly lost his life after sustaining stab injuries at a residence in Hackney, East London. The incident unfolded on Wednesday when police responded to a call, discovering the child with severe injuries. Kobi’s mother, 41-year-old Keziah Macharia, has been charged with murder and appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court, where she was remanded into custody until her next appearance at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

Kobi’s father, Ben Dooly, originally from Tramore, Co Waterford, has lived in England for several years. The Dooly family, known in business and sporting circles in the east of Ireland, is involved in local takeaway businesses and an amusement arcade.

The family released a statement expressing their profound grief and bidding farewell to Kobi. They described him as a source of joy and laughter whose departure from their lives is untimely. The statement asked for privacy during this difficult time.

The tragic incident prompted a swift police response, with authorities being alerted just before 11 pm on Wednesday. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Kobi succumbed to his injuries. The local community is grappling with the shock of the incident, remembering Kobi as a happy boy often seen playing on his scooter.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who leads policing for Hackney and Tower Hamlets, expressed the distress caused by the incident and assured that investigations are ongoing. While there is no wider public safety risk, additional officers will be present in the area to support the community affected by this tragedy.