Miss Limerick’s nose broken in night assault

A VICIOUS assault on the newly crowned Miss Limerick has left her with a broken nose.

Lorraine McCarthy, 22, is recovering after beingattacked by a woman during a night out.

Ms McCarthy was standing outside a pub in Shannon, Co Clare, when she was attacked in an unprovoked incident.

Despite her injuries, she is determined to take part in the Miss Ireland finals in Cork this weekend.

She said: “My friend and I were standing outside a pub in Shannon and the next thing I was approached by a girl who asked me who did I think I was. She started swearing and the next thing I knew she punched me. I put my hand up to my face and blood started gushing from my nose. The bar staff brought me in and looked after me.

“All I could think about was whether I would be able to go to the Miss Ireland finals.”

She reported the attack to Shannon gardaí, who are investigating.

Former Miss Limerick Eleanor Fitzgerald praised Ms McCarthy for speaking out about the attack.

“Behaviour like this is unacceptable. Bullies should not be allowed to get away with their behaviour,” she said.

“Lorraine is one of the most down-to-earth people you could meet. She did not deserve this.”

The attack comes just weeks after Limerick Rose Melanie Carroll was assaulted by two girls in the city centre during a night out.