Taxi driver's wife 'forgives' killer

The wife of taxi driver Moses Ayanwole, who died following an assault in Dublin last week, said today she “forgives” his attacker.

Olusola Ayanwole today described sitting by her husband’s bedside in St James’s Hospital in the days after he was assaulted by a man early last Monday at the junction of Pearse Street and Erne Street.

"I was shaking, holding him but he didn't move, he was just breathing. I was crying and I was telling him Moses I am here, I am here with Joshua," she told the John Murray Show on RTÉ Radio One this morning. The couple have a 12-year-old son, Joshua.

The 41-year-old taxi driver, who was originally from Nigeria and living in Clonsilla, died in hospital last Wednesday.

Ms Ayanwole described the moment when doctors told her they were going to turn off her husband’s life support machine. “I ran away I said no…..it was a very sad day for me and Joshua,” she said.

She did not believe the attack was racially motivated and said she forgives the attacker. “I forgive him, because the bible says he died for us to take away our sins. I forgive the guy and his family,” she said.

It is understood gardaí believe that the assault is likely to have followed a dispute over a fare and was not racially motivated.

A man in his 20s who was arrested last week was later released without charge.

Ms Ayanwole described her husband, who worked as a taxi driver for almost nine years, as “a complete gentleman” and “a good man to people,” she said.

“I am still finding it difficult to believe. It’s like a dream that I won't see Moses again. We had a lot of plans for Christmas and everything,“ she said.

Ms Ayanwole said she plans to stay in Ireland where their son was born.