Asylum seeker killed in Dublin died from stab wound to chest, inquest hears
An asylum seeker who suffered fatal injuries during a violent incident in Dublin city centre earlier this year died from a stab wound to the chest, an inquest has heard.
Quham Babatunde (34), an ex-footballer who came originally from Nigeria, died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident on Anne Street South in the early hours of February 15th last.
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The injured man, who was living in an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Ballyogan in south Dublin while his request for asylum was being processed, was rushed by ambulance to St James's Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.
At the opening of an inquest into Mr Babatunde's death at Dublin District Coroner's Court on Monday, a friend of the deceased, Faith Akpobome, gave evidence of formally identifying his body to gardaí at Dublin City Mortuary in Whitehall.
Ms Akpobome said she had known Mr Babatunde since May 2024 and had spoken to his uncle in Nigeria, Adeola Olayokun, to confirm that she could assist gardaí for the purpose of identifying his nephew's body.
The inquest heard that fingerprint evidence was also used to confirm his identity with officials from Forensic Science Ireland matching the fingerprints of the deceased with those provided by Mr Babatunde to the International Protection Office when he was applying for asylum.
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The coroner, Clare Keane, said the results of a postmortem conducted by State pathologist, Sally Anne Collis, showed Mr Babatunde died from a stab wound to the chest.
Detective Inspector Katharina Joyce applied for an adjournment of the inquest under Section 25 (2) of the Coroners Act on the basis that criminal proceedings had already commenced in relation to Mr Babatunde's death.
A total of nine individuals have already been arrested and charged in relation to the fatal incident as part of the investigation in Mr Babatunde's death.
Ryan Ndede (23), of Boroimhe Birches, Swords, Co Dublin, was charged with Quham Babatunde's murder and held in custody after he appeared at Belfast Magistrate's Court on February 21st after he was arrested by the PSNI after boarding a ferry to England.
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David Oloo Omee (19) of The Lawn, St Marnock's Bay, Dublin 13, is charged with engaging in violent disorder with others at Anne Street South and assault causing harm to Adetola Adetuilehim, a friend of the deceased.
Rory Carr, 21, of Ard na Greine, Seapoint Lane, Balbriggan, is accused of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde and Mr Adetuilehim on Anne Street South and violent disorder.
Jeffrey Bangu, 21, of Cardy Rock Crescent, Balbriggan, is charged with assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde at Duke Lane and to Adetuilehim at Anne Street South.
He is also accused of violent disorder and the production of a knife during the incident.
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Sean Forde (23), of Bath Road, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with violent disorder at Anne Street South.
John Eghomwanre (23) of Dun Emer Glade, Lusk, Co Dublin, is accused of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde on Anne Street South and Mr Adetuilehim at Duke Lane, as well as violent disorder.
Bakuani Diavisi (25) of Cardy Rock, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with assault causing harm to another named male at Dawson Street, Dublin 2, on the same date.
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Bruno Tache (20) of Trimleston, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, is charged with violent disorder and assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde and another man, Angel Ahgaria.
Faraj Odukoya (19) of Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan, Dublin, is accused of assault causing harm to Mr Babatunde at Anne Street South and to Mr Adetuilehim at Duke Lane, and violent disorder.
The coroner granted the application and adjourned the hearing of Mr Babatunde's inquest until a date to be fixed on conclusion of any related criminal proceedings.
Dr Keane also offered her condolences to Mr Babatunde's family on what she described as his 'tragic death.'
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