A man is reportedly due to be executed in China as a result of an unsolved murder in Dublin 13 years ago.

The fatal attack on Chinese national Chen Li Ming (22) remains unsolved even though he attempted to communicate the name of his attacker before he died.

An inquest into the death of Chen Li Ming at the time heard he died in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin from complications due to head injuries two days after the assault on October 9, 2002.

A verdict of unlawful killing by a person or persons unknown was returned by the six-person jury at Dublin Coroner's Court.

At the time, China sought help from gardai in Ireland in bringing a group of Chinese men believed to be responsible for Chen's death to justice.

Promises were made to Irish officials that none of the men would be executed, the Irish Daily Mail reports.

Chinese authorities now say that six of the seven men suspected of being involved in the attack 'have been brought to justice' in China, with one of them sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.

They are also now asking for the Department of Foreign Affairs' help in the extradition of the remaining suspect, who has since become an Irish citizen.

A senior Government source told the newspaper: "This has caused a major diplomatic crisis.

"The Chinese gave assurances they would not impose the death penalty and then they broke that agreement. Despite being asked on a number of occasions why and how this happened, they will simply not discuss that matter any further".

Th inquest into the death of Chen Li Ming heard he told Caroline Cummins, who lived at the house he escaped to after the attack, that he had come from a house party of Chinese nationals and pointed towards Ravensdale Park.

Asked who attacked him, Ms Cummins said he told her it was a Chinese national with a name which sounded like "Fan".

Garda Carla O'Sullivan, who spoke to him at the house in Crumlin, told the court Mr Li Ming said he knew his attacker, who had a name like "Fan Hong Chi". The inquest heard no such person exists as far as the gardai can establish.

Gardai said they were relying on the public's help as they did not have a crime scene to examine.

State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy said her post mortem on Mr Li Ming the day after his death showed he died of a brain haemorrhage due to head trauma.

Gardai carried out house-to-house inquiries in the area but found no evidence of a party. There were no Chinese nationals living there.

Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell asked members of the public who could help the inquiry to come forward at the time.

Online Editors