Woman questioned on suspicion of helping chief suspect in Qayyum Balogun killing

A young man is also being questioned after admitting to physical altercation with the deceased.

Qayyum Balogun died following an assault on Grafton Street

Gardaí are questioning a young woman on suspicion of assisting the chief suspect for the fatal stabbing of 21-year-old Qayyum Balogun to evade arrest, the Irish Examiner understands.

A young man is also being questioned after he voluntarily attended a garda station and gave admissions in relation to a physical altercation with the deceased.

This suspect, aged in his early 20s, is not considered the chief suspect but is believed to be one of a group that were involved in a physical row with Mr Balogun.

Officers are in contact with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions about whether or not to bring charges or release the two suspects and prepare a file for examination.

The investigation team at Pearse Street Garda Station is trying to locate the chief suspect amid reports that he may have fled to the UK.

Mr Balogun, who was born in Ireland and is of Nigerian parents, is thought to have become embroiled in a physical confrontation between two groups of people outside a club event on Grafton Street early on Monday morning.

He tried to escape but one of the groups chased him down and cornered him on nearby Clarendon Street.

There he is believed to have been stabbed at least three times.

Gardaí and emergency services, who were called to the disturbance on Grafton Street, found his body very soon after the stabbing.

Mr Balogun, who was a student at Maynooth University, was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A statement issued by Garda HQ said: “Gardaí in Pearse Street continue to investigate a fatal assault which occurred on Clarendon Street, Dublin 2 in the early hours of Monday June 1.

“Yesterday, Tuesday June 2, a female (aged in her 20s) was arrested in connection with the investigation. Today, Wednesday June 3, a male (aged in his 20s) was also arrested in connection with the investigation.” 

It said they were being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a garda station. This allows for a maximum detention period of 24 hours, excluding sleep breaks.

The Irish Examiner understands the woman is being questioned on suspicion of assisting the chief suspect evade being arrested.

It is further understood that the young man being questioned had walked into a garda station this morning and voluntarily offered to be interviewed in relation to Mr Balogun’s death.

It is understood that the garda team has gathered good CCTV of both the physical altercation on Grafton Street and the fatal attack on Clarendon Street.

Officers are satisfied they have identified most of the people involved.

Mr Balogun’s sister, Aliyah, has set up a gofundme campaign to raise money for her brother’s funeral costs.

It has so far gathered over €20,000 from more than 1,000 people.