Teens sought after fatal Patrick’s Day assault

GARDAÍ have appealed to a group of teenagers who assaulted a man, who later died, on St Patrick’s Day to come forward.

Joseph Connolly, aged 48, was attacked after a drink-fuelled row broke out at a takeaway on Ballymun Road, north Dublin, at about 9pm.

Mr Connolly is not married, has no children, and is survived by his siblings.

He is thought to have fallen after receiving a number of blows outside a nearby pharmacy.

He was taken to Beaumont Hospital in north Dublin. His condition deteriorated overnight and he died yesterday afternoon.

Gardaí have identified four males, all aged in their late teens, who they suspect of being involved in the assault.

Gardaí said they were not treating it as murder and don’t believe the gang intended to cause the man’s death.

It appears that Mr Connolly, who is from Ballymun, may have said, or done, something, to start the row outside the takeaway.

“It was a sporadic incident. It kicked off and ended quickly. They didn’t intend to cause his death,” said a garda source.

He said it was not being treated as murder and that they did not know yet what caused Mr Connolly’s death.

“Something was said at the chipper. Drink was taken by all. The victim said or did something. He got a few digs and went down and might have hit his head.”

Mr Connolly was a heavy drinker and former drug user.

While the suspects don’t face a murder charge, they could be charged with manslaughter or serious assault.

Gardaí said the incident was caught on CCTV cameras and that four males were involved, with two of them suspected of the actual assault. A number of women were also nearby.

Speaking at a briefing in Ballymun Garda Station, Superintendent John Gilligan said: “We have made a lot of progress in this investigation. We have taken some statements and people have come forward. If the people involved come forward or are brought forward we will deal with this discreetly.”