Victims of separate attacks lose fight for life

Two men who spent weeks in intensive care units after being badly beaten in separate attacks in Dublin have died, it was confirmed today.

Pensioner Jimmy Louth lost his fight for life yesterday after slipping into a coma in July the day after he had been tied up, robbed and beaten at the bakery where he worked in Cabra.

Liam McGowan, 22, from Kinlough, Co Leitrim passed away in the early hours of this morning after spending almost three weeks on a life support machine following a vicious mugging.

Senior gardaí are now assessing whether they can recommend murder charges be brought in the two cases.

Mr Louth was a well respected 66-year-old from Cabra, north Dublin. He was attacked by three raiders in Clarke’s bakery in the early hours of July 3.

He had been on a day off but came in at around 3.30am in the morning to help his colleagues. It is understood he was tied up along with his workmates and beaten with brush handles.

He was treated in hospital on the day of the attack and released but just one day later he collapsed while at work and despite his boss rushing him to hospital he slipped into a coma.

He spent the last two months of his life lying unconscious in intensive care in the Mater Hospital.

The raiders escaped with around €1,500.

Mr Louth was a well-known figure in the local community. He drove the bakery’s delivery van and trained the local junior soccer team.

In the second incident Liam McGowan, from Kinlough, Co Leitrim, was walking home to his flat on the northside in the early hours of August 20 when he was set upon by a number of men.

He was knocked to the ground by a single blow to the head and robbed of his mobile phone and 40 euro.

Mr McGowan was found lying in an alleyway off Hardwicke Street with a severe head injury.

It is believed an iron bar may have been used in the attack.

He was initially taken to the Mater Hospital but later transferred to the intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital where his family maintained a bedside vigil.

He was on a life support machine for around three weeks. Beaumont Hospital confirmed Mr McGowan died in the early hours of this morning.

Two men have already appeared in court in Dublin charged in connection with the attack on Mr McGowan.

Michael Carroll (aged 19), of Lower Dominick St and Anthony Carroll (aged 23), of St Attracta’s Road, Cabra, who are not believed to be related, were charged with assault causing serious harm.

Gardaí at Fitzgibbon Street Station are investigating and have appealed for anyone with information to contact them.