Late-night street assaults a ‘social evil’

A judge has criticised the “social evil’ of late-night street assaults, saying a single blow from a young, fit man can cause catastrophic injuries.

Judge Kevin Kilrane was speaking after hearing from a victim of a single blow assault who said that he now requires surgery on his nose which will cost from €20,000 to €30,000.

At Sligo District Court, Shane Boyle said he had been queuing for food in a premises on Castle St, Sligo, on the night of December 27, 2015, “and the next thing I woke up in the hospital”.