Search after face slashed in busy plaza

GARDAÍ were hunting last night for a knife attacker who slashed a homeless man in the face on a busy city plaza.

The 30-year-old victim, who lives at Cork’s Simon shelter, suffered extensive but non-life threatening facial injuries. A Garda spokesman described it as a particularly nasty and vicious attack.

The victim underwent plastic surgery at Cork University Hospital yesterday morning.

He was standing with a Simon Community resident on the pedestrian plaza outside Cork’s Paul Street Shopping Centre at about 8pm on Thursday night.

The plaza is surrounded by pubs and restaurants and was busy at the time.

The attacker walked calmly up to the two men and slashed the victim across the face with a knife, believed to be a Stanley blade, before running off.

Several people witnessed the attack and said the culprit did not speak before attacking. He fled on foot.

He is described as being aged between 18 and 20, five foot eight inches in height, with short blond hair. He was wearing a black Fila top and jeans.

Detectives were examining CCTV footage from the area yesterday to establish what escape route the attacker took.

The weapon has not been recovered.

Several witnesses have come forward but gardaí appealed to anyone who saw anything unusual in or around the Paul Street area at that time to contact the Bridewell Garda Station.

Detectives hope to interview the victim today.