Qayyum Balogun chased by ‘14-man pack’ before fatal stabbing, court hears
Qayyum Balogun: Found fatally injured on Clarendon St in Dublin city centre.
Music promoter Qayyum Balogun fought for his life after being "relentlessly" chased by a "14 -man pack" and fatally stabbed in an unprovoked attack in Dublin city centre, it has been alleged.
A 25-year-old man charged with violent disorder connected to the attack on Balogun and assaults on two other people at around 3am on Monday was granted €2,000 bail with conditions by Judge Peter White at Dublin District Court on Friday.
Balogun, aged 21, was found fatally injured on Clarendon St in Dublin city centre following a late-night performance by rap artist Famous Pluto at Bewley’s on nearby Grafton St, Dublin 2.
The computer science student at Maynooth, originally from Nigeria and living in Louth, was treated by emergency services at the scene and rushed to St James’s Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Two days after the incident, Joshua Brodericks, a former Atlantic Technological University business student with an address of Gleann Dara, Rahoon, Co Galway, presented himself to Pearse Street Garda Station.
His solicitor initially made contact with officers investigating the death.
Mr Brodericks was charged with two counts of assault causing harm to Oreoluwa Amosu, aged 24, who was a friend of the deceased, and Chloe Scannell, 22, at Grafton Street, Dublin 2, on June 1.
He also has two violent disorder charges alleging that he and "persons unknown" used or threatened to use unlawful violence that would cause others to fear for their safety, at Grafton St and Clarendon St.
He was remanded in custody with consent to bail, pending the lodgement of cash, and will face his next appearance on June 12 at Cloverhill District Court.
Garda William McCarthy told Judge White on Friday that the accused made no reply when charged with the four offences, and he confirmed that there were objections to bail.
He described the incidents as a "frenzied rampage" and alleged Mr Brodericks led a pack of 14, who chased the deceased and instigated the attack carried out by six people.
He voiced severe concerns that the accused would flee the country to rejoin other parties allegedly involved in the incidents that night.
He alleged that Mr Brodericks was centrally involved and his actions were the catastrophic catalyst for the murder of an innocent man.
Aonghus McCarthy, defending, asked the judge to direct the garda not to mention offences involving other injured parties not allegedly assaulted by his client, or any reference to a murder.
In reply, the garda said the violent disorder directly resulted in a man losing his life, and that he was murdered. He said the investigation is live and fluid, and that several suspects are yet to be arrested.
He alleged the accused and his group, who had been staying at a rented accommodation in Dublin 4, attended a bank holiday concert and had after-party tickets.
Garda McCarthy alleged Mr Brodericks and his friends socialised and drank alcohol.
During the night, a close associate of Mr Brodericks appeared to bump into someone on the stairs, prompting a verbal argument over the perceived slight.
The court heard that Mr Brodericks was at first a peacemaker between his associates and the other event-goer, separating the pair.
However, Garda McCarthy alleged that Mr Brodericks quickly became provocative and aggressive. The other event-goer signalled for help from security, who removed Mr Brodericks and his group from the building, "to their great frustration and annoyance".
The court heard that they remained outside the front door in a clear state of intoxication and aggression.
Mr Balogun, who had had no interaction with them beforehand, was about to leave with his friends, one of whom knew some of the people with Brodericks from negative interactions years ago.
Mr Balogun and his friends were intimidated and concerned about running afoul of them and were permitted by the staff to leave via a rear fire escape door, the court was told.
Unbeknownst to him, some of Mr Brodericks' associates were there as spotters or observers, the court heard.
Mr Balogun and his friends passed them unaware of the impending danger from the group, which "for reasons unknown relentlessly pursued Qayyum Balogun and his friends", the garda said.
Garda McCarthy alleged: "This 14-man pack is led by Joshua Brodericks; he instigates the chase and remains at the head of the group until they catch their victim."
He said two of Mr Balogun's friends stopped running, including Oreoluwa Amosu.
The court heard that Mr Balogun and his remaining friends kept running in fear for their lives but were relentlessly chased onto Clarendon St. Due to wet conditions underfoot, Mr Balogun lost his footing and was set on by six people, allegedly including Mr Brodericks.
It was claimed that a number of his associates produced and used knives while attacking Mr Balogun.
Garda McCarthy said while it was not believed that Mr Brodericks used a weapon, it was alleged he was physically involved with Mr Balogun during the entirety of the incident.
The court heard that during a vicious, fatal assault, Mr Balogun fought for his life and tried to escape, but was surrounded by the group, who were simultaneously holding him, assaulting him, and ultimately stabbing him to death.
Eventually, Mr Balogun managed to get away, but after a short distance, he collapsed and succumbed to his injuries.
It was alleged that the attackers fled and disposed of the knives.
It was alleged that Mr Brodericks came across Oreoluwa Amosu and Ms Scannell, both from Cork, at Grafton St in the doorway of the Doc Martens shop.
Mr Brodericks allegedly called his associates who instigated violence against Oreoluwa Amosu while Ms Scannell tried to block Mr Brodericks and stood in between.
However, she was punched in the face, knocking her off her feet onto the ground, the court heard.
Mr Brodericks held Oreoluwa Amosu by his T-shirt and attacked him as another member of his group tried to swing a knife at him until he got away when his T-shirt ripped, the court heard.
The garda said that social media posts showed that, afterwards, the accused had cut off his dreadlocks, which he had worn for years.
A phone video of them in their rented accommodation, booked by the accused, showed a member of his group posing and posturing with a large knife in full view of Mr Brodericks before they went to the concerts, Judge White heard.
Garda McCarthy maintained that the accused was centrally involved with all the main suspects.
Cross-examined by defence solicitor Aonghus McCarthy, Garda McCarthy said he did not know where the two complainants in the Grafton St incident had sought treatment and conceded that medical reports on them were not available.
Mr Brodericks' mother told the court that she would stand bail for her son, who was born and raised in Galway, and answered "100%" when asked if he could live with her.
Mr McCarthy stressed that his client, who wore a black tracksuit and did not address the court, had just completed his final exams, and cited the presumption of innocence, the right to bail, and family support.
Granting bail, Judge White held that bail with conditions could be granted. He set Mr Brodericks' bond at €1,000, and his mother, who was approved to act as an independent surety, also at €1,000.
Once it has been taken up, he must notify gardaí of any address changes, sign on daily at a local Garda station, obey a 10pm-7am curfew, have no contact with witnesses, surrender his passport and not apply for a replacement, and be contactable by phone at all times.
Legal aid was granted.
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