Black and Irish group ‘deeply saddened’ by death of Qayyum Balogun in Dublin

Activist group Black and Irish has said it's “deeply saddened” by the death of Qayyum Balogun following a fatal assault in Dublin City Centre in the early hours of Monday morning.

Qayyum Balogun, aged 21, was stabbed to death off Grafton Street in Dublin’s south inner city. Balogun attempted to flee his killer but was caught and wounded several times.

He collapsed on Clarendon Street and could not be revived, with his killer escaping before gardaí arrived.

Balogun worked as a gig promoter in central Dublin and was known on the music and promotions scene in the city.

“This incident comes at a time when the country has witnessed a number of serious violent incidents and loss of life in recent weeks,” read a statement from Black and Irish.

“The rise in violence we are seeing is deeply concerning and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. No family should have to make a phone call that their child, sibling or friend is not coming home."

The activists group said that acts of violence are not exclusive to any one group and that this tragedy should not be used to divide communities.

“Violence affects all communities and the responsibility to challenge it belongs to all of us,” continued the statement.

“Attempts to blame entire groups of people for the actions of individuals only creates further division and distracts from the real issues that need to be addressed.”

Black and Irish has asked anybody with information on the incident to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on (01) 666 9000 or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.