'We want justice', says family of Dublin assault victim

The family of Qayyum Balogun, a 21-year-old man who died following an assault, are demanding justice and answers about his death. Balogun was discovered in a serious condition on Clarendon Street, near Grafton Street, in the early hours of Monday morning. He was transported to St. James's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after.

“

He died instantly. When we got to the hospital, I found my son's dead body. That was around 5am yesterday morning in St James' Hospital in Dublin.

His mother, Teslimot Balogun, described the incident as a profound shock to their family. "He died instantly," she told RTÉ Drivetime, recounting the devastating moment she found her son's body at the hospital. She remembered Qayyum as her first-born son, a "very quiet guy" who "doesn't cause trouble," and a "very funny guy" who was "always friendly" and "easy-going." His stepmother, Loveth Patrick, echoed these sentiments, calling him "the sweetest soul you could ever meet," "gentle and calm," and a person who spent much time at home, often heard laughing.

“

He was a very quiet guy, he goes his own way, he doesn't cause trouble. He's a very funny guy, he's always friendly.

Ms. Patrick refuted online claims that Mr. Balogun was involved in a gang, stating he worked at a Burger King and was pursuing a degree in Computer Science at Maynooth University. "This is unbelievable. We need justice for Qayyum. That is all we need," she emphasized.

“

He was the sweetest soul you could ever meet. He was gentle and calm.

Padraig McGovern, Mr. Balogun's former principal at Ó'Fiaich College, expressed the school community's deep shock. He remembered Qayyum as a "lovely young lad" who was "very much part of our school community." McGovern highlighted his academic success and ambition, describing him as "a guy with ambition, a guy with a goal and a chap that was making this goal real and being successful." The news has deeply affected the school as it prepares for exams, with many in the wider community also expressing disbelief and shock.

“

That is the question we want and we want justice for Qayyum.