Off-duty garda knocked unconscious during street attack

A YOUNG, off-duty garda was knocked unconscious after being attacked in the centre of Kenmare over the weekend.

He was the second off-duty garda to be attacked and badly injured in Kerry over the weekend following an assault on another officer in Listowel early on Saturday.

A 27-year-old Cork-based garda, who was back in his home town of Kenmare for the weekend, was assaulted in the Main Street around 3.45am on Sunday. Gardaí in the town are still trying to piece together what exactly happened and what caused the dispute between the man and a number of local youths. It is not known if he was specifically targeted by his attackers.

The garda suffered a head injury after being knocked to the ground. He was unconscious for a short time following the attack and was taken to hospital.

It was the second serious attack on an off-duty garda in 24 hours. Garda David Kenneally was last night recovering in Tralee General Hospital after suffering a broken leg and head and facial injuries during an assault early on Saturday.

It is believed he was targeted by those who carried out the attack in William Street, Listowel. He was punched, knocked to the ground, then kicked repeatedly after falling. Two of his friends who attempted to help him were also assaulted, though less seriously.

The attack happened around 3am in front of between 30 and 40 people and was described as “particularly vicious and unprovoked” by Listowel Inspector Martin McCarthy.

A native of Cork city, the 23-year-old is a well-known hurler with Sarsfields.