Pictured: Man, 24, who was stabbed to death during an Easter Sunday pub brawl

The grieving mother of a barrister’s clerk who was stabbed to death in an Easter Sunday pub brawl says he was ‘hard-working, kind and generous’. 

Friends of a 24-year-old man who died after he was stabbed in a fight outside a pub on Easter Sunday have paid tribute to a ‘genuinely decent young man’.

Joe O’Brien died after he suffered serious stab wounds during a large-scale brawl near the Royal Oak Hotel on Oldham Road in Failsworth at 3am on Sunday.

Police were called to the scene where three men – aged 24, 23 and 22 – were found injured.

Paying tribute to her son today, Joe’s mother Roz McDonald, said: ‘Joe was a much loved son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew and friend to many.

‘He was hard working and had a great sense of humour. He was kind and generous, both with his time and with his money. His friends, his family and Manchester United were his life.

‘Joe worked as a barrister’s clerk at Deans Court Chambers in Manchester and he loved this job.

‘The majority of Joe’s time was spent either with his friends, or caring for his mother, who he always put first.’ 

Neighbours on the estate in Blackley, Manchester, where Joe lived with his mother and siblings said he was a popular and well-known young man.

‘He was a lovely lad, never in any trouble,’ said one.

The scene on Oldham Road, Failsworth, on Sunday after the large brawl left three injured and one dead

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, on of Joe’s best friends, Cal Robinson, said: ‘These crimes are happening more and more every day.

When will this stop? When will justice be served on those who carry knives?

‘I loved Joe [like] a brother. The person who did this does not realise they have not just taken one person’s life away. Joe’s family and friends will suffer for the rest of their lives.’   

Writing on Facebook, friend Katie Monks added: ‘RIP Joe O’Brien, such an intelligent, genuinely decent young man. Heartbreaking I can’t believe it. His poor family.’

Diane Harrison added: ‘Such a sad waste of a young life. My heart goes out to his family and friends. R.i.p Joe.’

Detectives have launched a murder investigation and continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Joe’s death.

A large police cordon was in place on Oldham Road for several hours on Sunday morning.

No arrests have been made and it is believed suspects involved in the fight made off before police arrived.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Creely from GMP’s Major Incident Team said yesterday: ‘This is an awful situation to be dealing with.

‘Sadly a man has lost his life, my thoughts are with his family at this devastating time.’

‘We believe there was a fight involving a number of people which ended with the loss of a life and two others with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

‘We will be looking through CCTV to identify those involved and I would suggest they come forward to police before we come knocking.

‘I would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the fighting, any information you may have could be vital to our investigation, so please get in touch.’

GMP’s Territorial Commander for Oldham Chief Superintendent Neil Evans said: ‘I understand that the community will rightly be shocked by what has happened. 

‘Neighbourhood officers will be in the area assisting our colleagues from the Major Incident Team.

‘If people have any specific concerns or information then they should approach our officers and speak with them.’