Health board boss attacked

THIS week’s horrific attack on a senior health board worker, who was doused in petrol and set alight, is not linked to his work with the mental heath services, garda sources revealed last night.

Tom Hourigan senior manager of mental health services with the Mid-Western Health Board is in a critical but stable condition in Cork University hospital, where he is being treated for serious burns to his face and hands.

The 51-year-old was getting out of his car at his home in Meadowvale, Raheen, when a masked man threw petrol over him and then set him alight.

Mr Hourigan's wife and teenage son witnessed the terrifying ordeal, which happened shortly after 9pm on Thursday night in the quiet cul-de-sac.

Gardaí are baffled as to what motive could be behind the attack, but sources have denied that it is linked in any way to Mr Hourigan's work with the mental health service.. "We have to explore all possibilities, but there is nothing to suggest that it is linked to Mr Hourigan's work," said Inspector Joe Roe, Roxboro Garda Station.

"This is an extensive wide-ranging investigation and we are remaining totally open-minded. We have spoken to Mr Hourigan briefly but we would hope to speak to him at length again."

It's understood that Mr Hourigan pulled up to his home at 68 Meadowvale in his dark blue Mercedes at 9.15pm on Thursday night.

Before he could get out of his car, a man wearing a balaclava approached the car and threw petrol on it before setting it alight, seriously injuring the 51-year-old and completely destroying the interior of the vehicle.

Mr Hourigan was immediately rushed to Limerick Regional Hospital but was transferred to Cork shortly after midnight for surgery on his hands and face, which were badly burned.

His wife Ann who witnessed the attack along with her 16-year-old son Paul said the family is still in shock.

"This is a very difficult time for the family and we are upset by the tragedy of what Tom has been through.

"Our family has received exceptional help and support from so many people and we would like to say a special thank you in particular to our neighbours, the emergency services in Limerick, the casualty staff, Tom's colleagues in the Mid-Western Health Board and the doctors, nurses and staff here at Cork University Hospital."

Mid-Western Health Board chief Executive Stiofán De Burca said he would be appalled if it transpired the attack was linked to Mr O'Sullivan's job with the Health Board.

"I hope it isn't. Obviously in an investigation all possibilities have to be explored but I would be extraordinarily appalled and very deeply concerned if it was related to his job."

Mr De Burca said health board staff were appalled at what happened to their "very dear friend and colleague".

"It's totally beyond all reason and it has caused tremendous trauma throughout the whole health care

system," he said.

The health board chief described Mr O'Sullivan as a "highly dedicated and very committed and diligent" manager. Major house-to-house inquires were underway in the Meadowvale area of Raheen yesterday, where shocked locals were trying to come to terms with the horrific attack. Meanwhile, Gardaí are examining CCTV footage from a number of garages in the area in an effort to see if the attacker bought petrol locally earlier that night.

They are also searching for the container used to carry the petrol.