Man attacked in face with bottle at Rose festival

A BROKEN bottle is believed to have been used in an assault during which a man sustained serious facial injuries in Tralee early yesterday.

The man, in his mid-30s and from Tralee, was rushed to Kerry General Hospital and later transferred to Cork University Hospital.

He received horrific injuries to his face, which required many stitches. He also had some chest injuries. However, the injuries are not life-threatening and his condition was yesterday described as comfortable.

The incident occurred at the top of Denny Street, near the junction with the Mall in the centre of Tralee, at about 1.20am.

Gardaí, who are looking for witnesses, believe the assailant ran off down the Mall and towards the Square immediately afterwards. Large numbers of people were on the street at the time for celebrations following the selection of the new Rose of Tralee, Aoife Kelly, 23, from Tipperary.

The victim is believed to have become involved in a dispute with another man earlier in the night.

There was a pool of blood at the scene, which was sealed off for several hours for a technical examination by gardaí.

A total of 73 public order incidents were reported in Tralee since the festival began last Friday. Two thefts from cars and one house burglary were reported, while a number of arrests were made for drugs offences.

An alleged sexual assault by a man on a woman is also being investigated.