Gardai yesterday arrested a further six men as part of their investigation into the assault on Kilkenny hurler P.J. Delaney (26) in Thurles 12 days ago which left him with serious head injuries.
The six - who range in age from 16 to 29 - were arrested by gardai in the Templemore and Thurles areas of Co Tipperary yesterday morning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, which allows for their detention up to 12 hours. All six had been released without charge by last night.
Gardai said none of the men had been arrested before in relation to the assault outside a hotel in Thurles. Seven other people, five men and two women, were questioned a week ago but were released without charge. Gardai said a file was being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions as a result of both sets of arrests.
Insp Bernard O'Neill said the Garda was satisfied with the investigation to date. "We are two weeks into it and we are happy with the progress we have made, but we do not want to anticipate the outcome of the investigation." Mr Delaney, from Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, remained "stable but seriously ill" in Cork University Hospital yesterday, according to a spokesperson. He was taken off a life-support machine last week.
His father, Pat, said he had made a slight recovery in the past few days and doctors were happy with his progress. However, the full extent of the hurler's injuries may not be known for weeks if not months.
Mr Delaney was attacked outside a nightclub in the Co Tipperary town in the early hours of Sunday, September 13th. He received a heavy blow to the head as he emerged on to Liberty Square. The weapon used in the attack has yet to be found.