Gardaí question two over serious assault

Gardaí have questioned two men in their 20s in connection with a serious assault in Cork City yesterday.

The men were the second pair to be arrested by gardaí investigating the assault which has left a 32-year-old local man in hospital with serious head injuries.

The injured man was found lying on the ground in an area known locally as The Quarry Steps, off Ballyhooley Road, near St Luke’s, just after 1am.

He was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.

The area was sealed off for a forensic examination and detectives spent several hours conducting enquires and canvassing buildings for CCTV footage.

They arrested two teenagers at around 9am and detained them under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning at Mayfield Garda Station.

They were subsequently released without charge before two men in their early 20s were arrested around midday.

One man was held in Ballincollig, the second in the city centre. They were both being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act for questioning at Mayfield Garda Station, where they can be held for up to 24 hours.

Gardaí appealed to the public for help. “We would still appeal to witnesses to come forward,” Supt Tom Myers said. “I would ask anyone who was in or around the area between 12.30am and 1.30am yesterday, and who saw anything suspicious, to contact us.”

* Anyone with information about the incident can contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021 455 8510.