Gardaí have appealed for the public's assistance in their investigation into an attack in Dublin over the weekend which has left a 30-year-old man seriously ill in hospital. The victim sustained serious head injuries in an attack in the Dame Street area.
The assault took place at around 4am on Sunday morning at the Central Bank plaza. The victim, who is from Dublin, had been socialising in the city centre on Saturday night and in the early hours of Sunday.
Gardaí believe that as he was making his way home he sat on a low wall at a section of Central Bank Plaza leading into Temple Bar. As he rested he was apparently set upon by his attacker.
He was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked in the upper body and head. He sustained serious facial wounds, the worst of which is around his right eye.
He was taken by ambulance to St James's Hospital. He remained in the hospital's intensive car unit last night. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Gardaí are unclear as to the motive for the attack. They have not ruled out the possibility that the attacker may have believed his victim was asleep or passed out and may have attempted to rob him but was disturbed by the victim. Gardaí believe the victim did not know his attacker.
There were a number of people in the area at the time. Immediately after the incident, people who had witnessed it chased after the attacker. They were unable to catch him and he escaped.
Gardaí at Pearse Street station believe the attacker left the area in a taxi. They have appealed for a taxi driver who took a lone male passenger from the Dame Street area towards Christchurch at around 4.20am to contact them.
The taxi driver was driving a silver car. The passenger was believed to be wearing dark clothing. More detailed descriptions were not available.
Gardaí have already taken a number of statements from members of the public who witnessed the attack.
However, they believe a large number of people were in the area at the time and have appealed for them to come forward. Gardaí have also requested CCTV footage taken by cameras in the area at the time and are hopeful these will assist their investigation.
Anybody who witnessed the incident or has any information relating to the attack can contact Pearse Street Garda station (01) 6669000 or the Garda confidential line 1800 666111.
