Stabbing in Iffley

Man hurt after churchyard altercation


Thames Valley Police are appealing for witnesses after a man suffered a stab wound in Iffley.

The incident occurred at Greyfriars Church on the Iffley Road at 11.20am today. A 31-year-old man suffered a superficial injury to his neck and required hospital treatment.

The Tab understands that those involved were members of rival families from the traveller community who had been attending a large funeral at the church for the “matriarch” of one family, Winnie Joyce.

The two families – the Joyces and the Quinn MacDonaghs, who were featured in the film ‘Knuckle’ – were described as being “at war” by one source. The Joyces live on the outskirts of Oxford and have hit the headlines in the past.

An anonymous commenter wrote on the Oxford Mail website that they were “warned yesterday of probable traffic delays as the funeral of a matriarch of the gypsy community was being held at 10am at Greyfriars. They were expecting 2000 mourners.” It was reported to The Tab that it was the biggest gathering of travellers in the area for a long time.

Greyfriars Church on the Iffley Road

Det Insp John Turner, who is leading the investigation, said: “We believe that this was an incident between men who are known to each other.

“We do not believe that there is any threat to the wider community and officers have been working to calm tensions since the incident happened.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and has information about what has taken place.”

Police gather at the scene (Photo: Beth Collett)

Students described the area around the church as “dead quiet” with “hardly anyone about”, and commented on the ominous closing of all the pubs along Cowley Road.

The Tab also heard reports, unconfirmed by photographic evidence as yet, of widespread property damage and vandalism including the smashing of car windows.

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact police via 101. Photos and personal experiences should be sent to The Tab newsdesk.

More to follow.