Gardaí probing violent assault of man on his way to mosque

While it was initially thought Islamophobia could be a factor in the incident, the victim believes the assailants wanted to rob his bicycle

A man in Muslim dress and heading to evening prayer was attacked near his local mosque in Dublin on Sunday night. Picture: Denis Minihane

Gardaí are investigating a serious assault and robbery in which a gang of youths attacked a man with what the victim said was a hammer and a bottle, before stealing his bicycle.

The victim was in Muslim dress and heading to evening prayer at his local mosque on Sunday night, three days into Ramadan, when the attack happened.