Gardaí investigate pub assault in Co Louth

Gardai are investigating an attack on a 63-year-old man in a pub in Co Louth last weekend that has left him fighting for his life.

The victim was conscious after he sustained his injuries but on returning to his home just outside Dundalk, Co Louth, he fell into a coma and is now gravely ill in hospital.

He has been named locally as Lawrence McGeown, who works as a barman in Dundalk. He sustained serious head injuries and sources said there were concerns for his life.

Gardai believe Mr McGeown was beaten in a pub on Castletown Road, Dundalk, sometime between 9pm and 10.30pm on Friday.

He was conscious after the attack and was assisted by people known to him. He made his way to his home at Oldbridge, Toberona, just outside Dundalk.

It’s understood the people he was with brought him to hospital. He was later discharged but warned by doctors not to sleep alone in the event his condition deteriorated overnight.

However, it appears he spent the night alone and when his daughter called to his home the next morning she found him unresponsive and covered in blood.

The emergency services were called and Mr McGeown was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Dundalk. He has not responded to medical treatment and gardai have launched a major investigation to try and identify his attackers.

Gardai believe Mr McGeown came into contact with a number of people on Friday night in the pub where he was injured and they are now keen to speak to them.

While some patrons have already been traced, gardai have urged anybody who was present, or saw the injured man between 9pm and 10.30pm on Friday to come forward and speak to the investigating team in confidence.

The investigation is based at Dundalk garda station.