Asylum seeker stabbed to death in Ireland

A 34-year-old Nigerian man, Quham Babatunde, was stabbed to death by a gang of suspected thugs on South Anne Street, Dublin, Ireland, last Saturday.

Daily Mail UK reported on Wednesday that he had attended an Afroswing gig at a nightclub in the Irish capital on the night of the attack.

The British media outlet stated that emergency services treated him at the scene on South Anne Street early Saturday morning.

He was, however, rushed to St. James’ Hospital, where medics struggled to save his life, but he succumbed to multiple stab wounds, including one to the heart.

The report revealed that video footage circulating on social media showed a masked man brandishing a large knife as a brawl erupted on South Anne Street, off Grafton Street.

A murder investigation has been launched, with two suspects arrested and currently being interrogated by the police.

Meanwhile, Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the incident as “disgusting and unacceptable.”

Babatunde had been living at the International Protection Accommodation Service Centre in Ballyogan, South Dublin.

The Nigerian was previously arrested by Italian authorities over an allegation of rape in 2018 and scheduled for deportation in 2019.

According to Gript, an Italian online media company, Babatunde also known as ‘Mike Obumbo’ was a promising footballer who plied his trade in the Reggiana youth team at the time he was charged with rape.

He was also reported for illegal immigration apart from the rape allegation. At the time, he was placed at the disposal of the immigration officers.

The Irish Mirror also reported that Babatunde’s friends had confirmed to them that the former footballer was previously accused of rape in Italy, but that they believed him to be innocent of the charges.