Quham Babatunde, an asylum seeker, fatally stabbed in Dublin. Minister denounces violence as “disgusting,” police investigate.
Babatunde was 34 years old and lived in an IPAS center in Dublin. He was originally from Nigeria. A masked man stabbed him after a fight between two groups following an Afroswing gig early Saturday.
Police have not yet found the attacker and fear he remains free. Another man was also stabbed during the fight and went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The altercation occurred around 3 AM.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan spoke out against the violence, calling it “disgusting” and “unacceptable.” He wants those involved brought to justice and assured that police will track them. Violence like this does not belong in Ireland.
O’Callaghan has viewed shocking video footage circulating on social media. He emphasized that carrying knives is unacceptable and that Ireland will not allow knife culture, stating young men should not carry knives.
Responding to the incident around 3 AM Saturday, police labeled it a “serious public order” issue and launched a murder investigation. Officers are reviewing CCTV, asking neighbors for information, and a video shows a masked man lunging at people with a knife.