Gardaí are searching for three youths who attacked a tourist in Dublin city centre on Wednesday night, leaving him with “life-changing injuries.”
The 57-year-old, who was visiting Ireland from the United States, had just left his accommodation on Talbot Street when he was set upon by the group on Talbot Place which leads on to Store Street.
And in a separate incident, a man in his 30s is in a critical condition after being assaulted on Galway City’s Dominic Street during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The attack has been widely condemned, with local representatives blaming a lack of Garda presence in the area. It comes three weeks after a 23-year-old Ukrainian actor was attacked, glassed and bitten a few hundred metres away after acting in a play in the Abbey Theatre.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” and said her thoughts “are with the victim and his family at this time”.
She added: “There can be no excuse for such violence and intimidation and I fully understand the concerns of the local community.
Ms McEntee said she has been in contact with the Garda about the investigation. “A tough and firm response will send out the message that we will not tolerate this thuggery on our streets.”
Asked about attacks on a Ukrainian actor in Dublin and on the US tourist, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said “there is a strong response from Government both in terms of civil penalties and in terms of increasing Garda resources”.
It is understood the group of attackers, aged in their late teens, kicked and punched the victim, including as he lay on the ground, in what sources described as an “entirely unprovoked” attack.
The attackers fled and gardaí and emergency services arrived on the scene a short time later. The man was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he is being treated in intensive care.
Gardaí have described his condition is described as serious but stable. Doctors believe he received a number of kicks to the head.
A source described his injuries are “life-changing but not life-threatening”. It is understood there are serious concerns about possible long-term brain damage.
Gardaí are confident they have identified at least one the three attackers who are suspected of being involved in other assaults in the area in the recent past. They are believed to live in the local area.
Investigators are harvesting CCTV footage from the area and have appealed for witnesses to come forward. No arrests have been made.
The man’s family is receiving consular assistance from the US embassy in Dublin.
The attack occurred 100 metres from the front entrance of Store Street Garda station and close to the city’s main bus station Busáras and Connolly train station.
Independent councillor Nial Ring told RTÉ radio’s News at One that the incident had “appalled everyone in the area” and that he does not want to see Talbot Street becoming “a no-go area”.
“The fact that it took place within yards of the busiest Garda station in the country, makes it even more disturbing.”
Local public representatives have previously pointed to the lack of Garda resources in the area.
“We should not have to wait for incidents like this to have the issue highlighted again,” Mr Ring said.
“People are sickened by what happened to that tourist last night. And yes, people are not surprised because we have seen Talbot Street go downhill and we have brought this up time and again with the chief superintendent in the area, Pat McManamon, who has been very understanding, but has pointed out time and again that it’s down to a lack of resources.”
Mr Ring called on Ms McEntee to visit the Talbot Street area. “We have a community safety partnership just about ready to go, but what we really need are gardaí on the beat.
“We need Store Street Garda station fully resourced. They are stretched to the limit. They’re doing the best they can, but slowly but surely that part of town is becoming a no-go area. And as a Dubliner who goes into town and out of town all the time, I just think this is really frightening for people to hear attacks like this.”
In a statement, the Garda said it is “appealing to anyone with information in relation to this incident or who may have video footage to contact Store Street Garda station on 01 666 8000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”
Meanwhile, a man in his 30s is in a critical condition after being assaulted on Galway City’s Dominic Street during the early hours of Thursday morning.
The man was initially taken to University Hospital Galway via ambulance following the “serious” assault, but has since been transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
An Garda Síochána are appealing for witnesses of the assault to come forward, believed to have occurred around 2.30am.
Gardaí have asked any road users – including taxi drivers and pedestrians – who might have camera footage and were in the vicinity of Dominic Street between 2am and 2.45am on Thursday morning to contact the force.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Galway Street Garda station on 091 538 000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.”
