'HE WAS A GOOD LAD'

David was playful.. a bit wacky.. more like a gentle kitten

- MICHAEL O'TOOLE

AN INDEPENDENT investigation is under way after English cops shot this Irishman dead - as he brandished a knife at them.

Pals in Ireland of Galwayborn David Joyce (38) say they are devastated by his death in the city of Milton Keynes last week.

"He was a good lad," one friend said.

A police watchdog is now probing the death of Mr Joyce, who had recently served prison time for a firearms offence in the UK.

FRIENDS of this Irishman have spoken of their shock after he was shot dead while brandishing a knife at armed cops in England.

One pal of Galway native David Joyce said: "He was a good lad" - as an independent probe was launched into his death on Tuesday.

Mr Joyce, 38, who left Ireland around 15 years ago and had recently served jail time in the UK for possessing a firearm.

He was shot dead in Milton Keynes, around an hour north of London after he was confronted while holding a knife in the city's main train station.

His killing has now been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct for investigation-and pals in Ireland have told The Star they are stunned by his death.

One told us: "David must have been suffering from a crippling fear, his personality was more like a gentle or afraid kitten, perhaps he found some peace in the security of carrying a weapon.

"He was of very slight build. He was playful and a joker. You could have knocked him over with a half decent breeze.

"For a grown man to feel physically threatened by him they must have a serious problem with their own masculinity, you could hold him down with one hand behind your back.

"A little quirky certainly, a little wacky but in the interest of getting a laugh, nothing threatening or violent - goofy and innocent."

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