A MAN who was assaulted in Dundalk on Wednesday night died yesterday in hospital.
Niall Dorr (18) sustained head and facial injuries in the assault, which took place on Castle Road between 9 and 9.20pm.
Gardaí were yesterday investigating claims he had been beaten with an implement, possibly a bar, but sources said he did not have any injuries which showed signs of having been inflicted with a weapon.
Earlier yesterday his family gathered around him in the intensive care unit of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
They had appealed for anyone with information on what happened to talk to gardaí.
Just hours before the assault Mr Dorr had attended an interview to join the Army. He had already passed the fitness test.
Gardaí, who have interviewed two people in connection with the assault, were quickly on the scene on Wednesday evening.
Two cars, one parked either side of the road, were technically examined, and the Garda helicopter was used to take aerial shots of the vicinity.
A knife and a block used for sharpening knives were recovered, but it is unclear whether any knife-related injuries were sustained.
Mr Dorr represented Ireland in the World Kickboxing Championships last year, winning a silver medal.
His only sibling Shane (20) and his parents David and Veronica live in the quiet Avondale Park estate on Avenue Road on the outskirts of the town.
Gardaí in Dundalk opened an incident room as their investigations continued.
Mr Dorr was with three friends walking along Castle Road, a mature residential street, when they became involved in an altercation with another group.
He was the only person to sustain any serious injury.
One resident said his neighbour had seen a man being beaten up against a car on the street, and when she shouted “stop” she was told she would be next.
Mr Dorr, who was due to celebrate his 19th birthday next month, went to St Mary’s College in Dundalk, and recently completed a post-Leaving Certificate course in art at O’Fiach College.
Gardaí want anyone with information about the assault to ring 042-9388470.