A MAN was in a critical condition in hospital last night following an assault on two brothers in the People’s Park in Waterford city on Sunday evening.
The man, named locally as Damien Organ (25), of William Street, was attacked by a group of up to five people in the park shortly after 11.30pm on Sunday, gardaí said.
He was with his brother, Liam, who was also assaulted and seriously injured.
“Gardaí attended the scene and found two males there who were in a pretty distressed condition,” said Sgt Larry Langton.“There were hurleys involved and sticks as well.”
Gardaí helped the two men, who were taken to Waterford Regional Hospital.
The scene was preserved early yesterday and the park was closed to the public throughout the day.Gardaí carried out technical examinations and combed a section of the park for clues.
No weapons were found at the scene, which is about 100 metres from the courthouse in Waterford and 30 metres from the children’s playground in the park.
A Health Service Executive spokeswoman last night said Mr Organ remained in a “critical condition in Waterford Regional Hospital”.
The area where the assaults occurred, a hill hidden by trees next to a fountain, is sometimes attended by people drinking and engaging in anti-social behaviour, said a local source yesterday.There is no lighting in the area.
Waterford city councillor Davy Daniels, a former mayor, said gardaí told the local authority it would “not favour lighting because it would attract more anti-social behaviour” there.
“It is relatively quiet there but it’s very regrettable that such incidents would occur.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí in Waterford on 051 305300.
