Limerick street assault victim placed in induced coma

By David Raleigh

A man who sustained serious head trauma in a vicious street assault in Limerick this morning has been placed in an induced coma "to prevent swelling in his brain", Gardaí said.

Officers investigating the assault around 1am, said the injured man, who is aged in his early 30s, is in a serious but stable condition at Cork University Hospital.

The victim was initially treated at the scene by paramedics who brought him to University Hospital Limerick, a senior garda source said.

The man was transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital at around 9am this morning to be treated at a unit dealing with serious head injuries.

Initial information from Garda sources was that the man was in a critical condition, however he is now described as been "serious but stable" in hospital in Cork.

"He's stable, but he has been put into an induced coma. That is done to prevent the brain swelling," the senior garda said.

It is understood the attacker and the victim may have had a verbal argument in a pub prior to the assault.

However, shortly after leaving the pub, the injured man was set upon by the other man in an unprovoked attack, Gardaí believe.

It is understood the injured man was knocked to the ground and was hit in the head a number of times while on the ground.

"He went by ambulance to Cork around 9am. Both men are from the local area," the senior source said.

"It happened around 1am around the main street, near the square. We've a number of witnesses and we are looking for CCTV footage of the area," the source added.

The main suspect was arrested for a separate public order matter and taken to a Limerick City Garda station where he was held for a number of hours before he was released without charge.

A source said the outcome of the injured man's medical condition will help decide how Gardaí proceed with their investigation.

Gardaí in Newcastle West are appealing for information and can be contacted at 069-20650.