Ex-footballer fatally injured in Dublin died from 'stab wound to the chest'
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 15 last.
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.
The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
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 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 21 after he was arrested by the PSNI after boarding a ferry to England.
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. 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.
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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
3 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Lawyer: 'Extraordinary' if DNA test links Bailey to death
The solicitor who represented the late Ian Bailey, the chief suspect in the killing of French woman Sophie Toscan du Plantier, has said he would find it "extraordinary" if a new DNA test linked him to the murder scene. Frank Buttimer was speaking after it emerged that a garda cold case team is awaiting a report on whether the new advanced method of DNA collection has yielded results. The method, called M-VAC, has helped solve decades-old cold cases in the United States. Ms du Plantier's body was found on the laneway leading to her isolated holiday home near Schull in Co Cork on the morning of 26 December 1996. A post-mortem examination revealed she had been bludgeoned to death with a rock and a concrete block. Nobody has been charged in Ireland in connection with her murder. The rock and block as well as Ms du Plantier's dressing gown, leggings, vest and boots have been analysed by new technology, according to The Irish Times. Mr Buttimer represented Mr Bailey for over 20 years. Mr Bailey was the chief suspect in the murder of the French woman before his death last year. Commenting on the attempts to use new DNA techniques to advance the case, Mr Buttimer said that "before he was even obliged to do so" that Mr Bailey had voluntarily provided DNA to establish his innocence. Speaking on RTÉ's This Week programme, he said: "Where it to be extraordinarily now 28 years or whatever it is later that there was some alleged link or connection being proposed then I would have regarded that as being something extraordinary. "Second of all, somewhat worrying, bearing in mind the passage of time and, of course, thirdly, Mr Bailey is deceased and is not around to defend his name." Investigators are hoping that any DNA evidence obtained will enable Forensic Science Ireland to make comparisons with DNA samples obtained from some 10 people identified as suspects during the initial garda investigation, including Mr Bailey. Mr Buttimer said that if the DNA points towards the involvement of another suspect, then this is something that should be kept in mind by the French courts. Mr Bailey was convicted of Ms du Plantier's murder by a court in France in 2019 in a case that he did not attend. "Insofar as Ian Bailey is concerned, we have this thing in Irish law called the presumption of innocence," he said, adding "Ian Bailey is presumed innocent by the State of Ireland". Mr Buttimer said Mr Bailey was "never prosecuted, except for a completely spurious case that was taken against him in France, where he was found guilty - but that was a predictable event". "Where it to be the case that DNA points the finger in some other quarter, perhaps the French who were so vigorous in their pursuit of them, might take time to reflect upon that and what had happened badly during his life," he said. He added that Mr Bailey had been "pursued for over 27 or 28 years from the time of that dreadful crime to the time of his death", adding "it destroyed his life". The new DNA testing, from the US, has helped solve decade old cases, including the 1995 case of Crystal Lynn in Utah. She was 17 years old when she was killed with granite rocks and her death remained a cold case for 18 years. After the traditional methods of swabbing failed to deliver answers, M-VAC was applied to the bloodied rock. It got 42 times more than needed to generate a full profile, and subsequently led to the arrest and prosecution of a suspect in the case. Mr Buttimer said he was not familiar with M-VAC DNA testing method, adding it is important to remember that while DNA testing can assist a cold case, it has to be properly tested in court. "I do not think that it has been tested in the Irish courts," he said. "It seems to have had some success in the United States," he added. Regarding Mr Bailey, he said: "The one thing that would be of concern to me is that he is not around to defend himself. "I would have to say that DNA evidence in certain circumstances has also been challenged. "So, it is not the be all and end all of criminal investigation and forensic assessment." Mr Buttimer added such evidence can "be challenged, but absolutely every avenue should be pursued of any inquiry to get to the truth of this appalling crime", When asked if Mr Bailey's DNA is found, should that information be made public, Mr Buttimer said: "I am sure that in certain quarters there would be a rush to provide such information because in my belief, and certainly you know in my experience, within certain sections of the police, there is still this ongoing belief that there is a link or connection between Mr Bailey and the crime, which he has denied throughout his life". "Ian Bailey was identified as the suspect even while he was in Bandon police station in February 1997, there was a rush at that point in trying to expose him," he said. "There's always been a rush to put Mr Bailey's name out there as being connected with this offence," he added. In a statement to RTÉ's This Week programme, gardaí said the investigation into the murder of Ms du Plantier remains active and ongoing. It added that An Garda Síochána makes operational decisions on the release of information on a case-by-case basis.
Irish Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Search for missing man stood down after body discovered
The search for a missing Wicklow man has been stood down following the discovery of a body in south Dublin. Jason Kenna, 50, had been reported missing from his home in Greystones since Tuesday, July 29. Gardaí had renewed their appeal for information as to Jason's whereabouts earlier this week, reports Dublin Live. A Garda spokesperson confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the search has now been stood down. A statement read: "Following the discovery of the body of a man in South Dublin, the appeal for information regarding the whereabouts of 50-year-old Jason Kenna, reported missing from Greystones, Co. Wicklow since Tuesday, 29th July 2025, has now been stood down. "No further action is required at this time. An Garda Síochána wishes to thank the public and media for their assistance during the course of this appeal." Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Child rushed to hospital after being struck by car as Gardai attend scene
A young child was rushed to hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Cork on Friday afternoon. The collision occurred in the Glounthane area shortly after 4pm on Friday. Gardaí and paramedics attended the scene within minutes. The boy was rushed to Cork University Hospital for treatment and his injuries have been described as non-life-threatening, reports Cork Beo. A road in the area is understood to have been closed for a brief period on Friday afternoon and has since reopened. In a statement to Cork Beo, a Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of a road traffic collision in Glounthane, Co. Cork on Friday 15th August 2025. "The collision involved a car and a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a male child, was taken to Cork University Hospital to be treated for injuries believed to be non-life-threatening." The incident comes after a man in his 20s was struck by a vehicle on the N25 on Thursday night. The man was rushed to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries, which are also believed to be non-life-threatening at this time. Gardaí have appealed to anyone who witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage from the area around the time of the incident to come forward. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Midleton Garda Station on (021) 462 1550, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
