City centre attack victim on the road to recovery

Gardaí, who this week made an appeal for any witnesses to the incident to contact them, said that they were pursuing a number of lines of inquiry in their investigation of the incident.

The incident occurred at around 3.30am on Sunday morning last, September 6, when a dispute arose in Shop Street, close to the McDonald’s fast food restaurant between a number of young people.

The victim, who is from Spiddal, suffered head injuries after receiving a punch from the assailant who then left the area on foot with two of his mates – his head may also have hit off the paving after being struck. About six people are understood to have been involved in the dispute.

An ambulance removed the victim to University Hospital Galway and later on Sunday he was transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Initially, his condition was described as ‘critical’ but the Galway City Tribune has learned that since Monday, the man has been moved out of the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital and is now expected to make a full recovery.

A Garda spokesman said that they were making good progress in their investigation of the case and were pursuing a number of lines of inquiry but they have issued an appeal to the public for more information.

“There were a lot of people still on the street when this incident occurred and we feel that there are people out there who can help us with this investigation.

“We are appealing for anyone with information – regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem – to contact us at Galway Garda Station, Mill Street (091-538000),” said the Garda spokesman.

Meanwhile on the same night in a separate series of incidents, Gardai detained a youth from the Dublin area in relation to two stabbing incidents and one robbery that occurred in Galway city. The 17-year-old is being held in custody.

For more on the spate of weekend incidents, including a court report, see this week’s Galway City Tribune