Man abducted and left for dead

GARDAÍ are searching for a vicious gang who abducted a 22-year-old man and broke his arm and leg after beating him with concrete blocks and irons bars.

Alan Kelleher, was tied to a telegraph pole in a field on the outskirts of Cork City where he was repeatedly beaten by a gang of up to five men.

Gardaí said there was no obvious motive for the attack at this early stage. Mr Kelleher, who is known to gardaí, is from Farranree on the northside of the city.

“It was a very violent assault. It’s too early to say at this stage what exactly the motive was. We need to have further interviews with the victim who is still receiving treatment in hospital,” a senior garda source said.

Mr Kelleher was bundled in a van as he walked along Great William O’Brien Street, near the city centre, around 8pm on Thursday night. Gardaí believe the van, a white-coloured transit, possibly a Toyota Hiace, was then driven to Nash’s Boreen, two miles away.

During the journey the man was bound and gagged in the back of the van.

He was then dragged about 250 metres along the boreen into a field and tied to a telegraph pole before the savage beating took place. It is believed a number of items were also stolen from him.

“We are anxious to speak to an individual who made a telephone call to ambulance control shortly after 9.10pm saying that a man was after being beaten in the field. We are very anxious that this individual come forward,” a garda source said.

Mr Kelleher was found a short time suffering from exposure and unable to move. Gardaí believe the man who called the ambulance may have heard his cries for help.

The victim was taken to Cork University Hospital where his condition is said to be stable. Gardaí interviewed Mr Kelleher yesterday and hope to talk to him at more length today.Gardaí are also looking for anybody who may have seen any vans or cars acting suspiciously in the Great William O’Brien Street area between 8pm-9pm that night.

“We are also looking for anybody who saw anything suspicious in the vicinity of Nash’s Boreen, Larchfield and Parklands,” the garda source said.

Anyone with information should contact Gurranabraher gardaí at [phone].