Irish Olympian Jack Woolley tells of vicious assault in Dublin

Jack Woolley represented Ireland in Taekwondo in this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo. Picture: ©INPHO/James Crombie

Warning: graphic image below

Team Ireland Olympian Jack Woolley is being treated in hospital following an alleged assault in Dublin last night.

Jack, who competed in Taekwondo in Tokyo, has posted photos on social media of himself covered in blood and with large cuts to his face.

He says he was crossing the street when he was punched in the mouth.

The Tallaght man had been enjoying a night out with friends when he says a gang of men and women "began violently attacking people". 

While heading back along the boardwalk at the River Liffey, he said "a gang of roughly 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk.

"Unfortunately I was victim to these random attacks as I was just walking by, before I was punched in the face by one of these group members. The Olympian said he was he was punched only once, before being told "my mistake wrong person", as the group then ran off.

"Luckily, I was able to phone an ambulance and stay conscious," he said on social media, adding that his friends stayed with him and helped him.

Speaking in an online video posted this afternoon, the 22-year-old Olympian says he has been waiting since last night to get surgery.

Taking the time to thank people for their messages and concern, Jack assured people that it "looks worse than it is".

Gardaí say they attended the scene of an assault at Grattan Bridge at around 12.40am and a man in his 20s was taken to St James's Hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

They said no arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.

A Dublin TD has demanded an increased Garda presence in the city following the incident.

Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart says there is a real need for extra Gardaí to be around Dublin City in order to prevent this type of thing occurring.

"It brings to light something that I have felt, for the last while particularly as outdoor dining and hospitality is taking place, how vulnerable people are," said Mr Lahart.

"The lack of police presence on the beat in and around the city has really struck me."