A young man killed off Grafton Street “ran for his life” but was caught and stabbed to death, a crime journalist has said. 

Qayyum Balogun was 21 years old, a long-term resident of Dundalk and grew up there in a Nigerian family. 

He was a student and also had a part-time job as a DJ in Dublin city centre. 

Early in the morning on Monday, he was on Grafton Street when a dispute broke out. 

“He was at a gig with hundreds of other people in Grafton Street,” Mick O’Toole of the Irish Mirror explained on Newstalk Breakfast. 

“There was trouble after the gig on Grafton Street and a fight broke out between, it appears, two rival groups.

“At this stage, Garda believe that Mr Balogun was stabbed once in the arm on Grafton Street; he then ran for his life along Johnson's Court - which links Grafton Street and Clarendon Street just behind it. 

“There he was pursued by his attacker or attackers; they caught up with him just as he turned the corner onto Clarendon Street and he was stabbed twice more.”

Gardaí off Grafton Street following the death of Mr Balogun. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Given the location of his death, in the heart of commercial Dublin, Mr O’Toole said there are likely “dozens” of CCTV cameras that can be used in the investigation into his death. 

“Garda have also issued an appeal,” he added.

“People may have been in the area; there may be camera phone footage, people may even have dash cams.

“So, Gardaí at Pearse Street, where the investigation is based, are appealing for witnesses to come forward, especially anyone who has any footage.”

On the question of the safety of Grafton Street, Mr O’Toole noted that Gardaí responded quickly to the disorder, despite it being so early in the morning. 

“They got there within, I think, about three minutes,” he said.

“It was Garda who carried out CPR on Mr Balogun before he was transported to St. James's Hospital.

“Garda can't be everywhere; there have been increased patrols in the area. 

“It's probably too early to say if this is a trend; Garda are really focusing on trying to solve this murder first.”

The scene off Grafton Street following Mr Balogun's death. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie. 

A family liaison officer has been appointed by Gardaí to support Mr Balogun’s family. 

It is understood that his father was visiting Nigeria over the bank holiday but is now returning to Ireland. 

Anyone with any information about Mr Balogun’s death has been asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station.

Main image: Gardaí and emergency services respond to Mr Balogun's death. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie