The Daily Star Ireland
A 21-year-old man has been brought before the court in connection with a violent incident in Dublin city centre over the weekend, which resulted in the death of one man and serious injury to another.
Rory Carr, residing at Ard Na Gréine, Seapoint Lane, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, faces three charges. He is accused of assaulting 34-year-old Quham Babatunde on South Anne Street last Saturday night, leading to Babatunde’s death. A murder investigation is currently underway.
Carr is also charged with violent disorder and assaulting a second individual on the same night; this victim remains hospitalized. These charges fall under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and the Criminal Justice Public Order Act.
Garda Paul Cummins testified that Carr was arrested at 10:41 pm last night and, upon being charged 15 minutes later, made no reply. The prosecution intends to oppose bail; however, defense solicitor Evan Moore stated that no bail application would be made at this time.
Judge Paula Murphy granted Carr free legal aid, noting his unemployment and lack of assets. Carr has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear again at Clover Hill District Court next Wednesday via video link.
This development follows the recent court appearance of 21-year-old Jeffrey Bangu from Cardy Rock Crescent, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. Bangu faces four charges, including assaulting Babatunde on Duke Lane and attacking the second victim. He is also accused of violent disorder and producing a knife during a fight. Bangu has been remanded in custody and is set to return to Clover Hill District Court next Tuesday.
Additionally, a 23-year-old man was arrested by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) in Belfast as he attempted to board a ferry to Liverpool. He is currently detained at a police station in Northern Ireland.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning on South Anne Street, following an altercation between two groups who had been socializing. Babatunde, originally from Nigeria and residing in the Ballyogan accommodation centre in south Dublin, was found unresponsive with serious injuries. He was transported to St James’s Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The second victim, in his 30s, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and has since been discharged from the hospital.
Authorities are appealing for witnesses who were in the South Anne Street and Duke Lane Upper areas between 2:45 am and 3:30 am on Saturday. They are particularly interested in any mobile phone footage or dash-cam recordings from road users in the vicinity of Dawson Street and St Stephen’s Green during that time. Individuals with information are urged to contact Pearse Street Garda Station or the Garda Confidential Line.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described the incident as “alarming, shocking, and deeply concerning,” emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety in Dublin. He noted that Gardaí are making “very good progress” in identifying those involved in the altercation.
