Asylum seeker died from stab wound to chest, inquest hears
Quham Babatunde, 34, an ex-footballer who came from Nigeria originally, died as a result of injuries sustained in the incident on Anne Street South in the early hours of 15 February.
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 today, 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.
The coroner, Clare Keane, said the results of a post-mortem examination 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 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 into Mr Babatunde's death.
The coroner granted the application and adjourned the inquest hearing 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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