Young man chased down by group and fatally stabbed in Dublin city centre

Garda forensic officers at the scene of the stabbing. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

Gardaí are examining CCTV footage to try and identify the perpetrator behind a fatal knife attack on a young man in a popular Dublin nightlife area.

They also want to identify members of a group that chased him down after a row broke out at a club event on Grafton St in the early hours of Monday.

The man, aged 21, is from Nigeria but has been living in Ireland for some time. Gardaí have been in contact with family members.

Gardaí are investigating reports that the victim tried to flee his attackers but that they pursued him and cornered him on nearby Clarendon St.

It is understood the victim was stabbed three times.

A woman is also thought to have been injured, suffering knife wounds to her legs, but they are thought to not be life-threatening.

Gardaí responded after receiving reports of a disturbance on Grafton St involving a number of youths.

When members arrived, along with paramedics, they found a man in a serious condition on Clarendon St.

He was to nearby St James’s Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Large parts of Clarendon St and Grafton St were sealed off for technical examination.

Gardaí spent much of Monday morning harvesting CCTV footage from stores as well as council cameras.

Sources said they hoped this would help officers piece together the events from inside and outside the club, onto adjacent streets and towards Clarendon St.

The scene was preserved for technical examination, with the State pathologist notified and an autopsy due to take place in due course.

It is thought the victim may have been part of a rap event taking place on Grafton St.

Gardaí will speak to security staff and organisers as well as known associates and friends of the victim.

They will also endeavour to identify those involved in the row and people who may have witnessed it and the actual attack.

A Garda HQ statement on Monday morning said gardaí at Pearse Street Station were investigating a "fatal assault" on Clarendon St.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are also asking anyone with relevant phone footage or motorists with dashcams to contact them.

It is thought to be the 13th violent death this year, involving nine males and four females. Four have been in Dublin, two each in Galway, Tipperary, and Waterford, and one each in Carlow, Cork, and Donegal.