Gardaí prepare Dennehy attack file for DPP

Gardaí are to prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions after interviewing a man about an assault on former Republic of Ireland soccer star Miah Dennehy, who remained in a critical condition hospital yesterday.

A man in his 50s presented himself at Mayfield Garda station yesterday for interview about the assault on Mr Dennehy, who was found with serious head injuries outside the Fob and Gill pub in Mayfield on Cork's north side at about 7.30pm on Friday.

Gardaí believe Mr Dennehy, also in his 50s, suffered two blows to the head. However, it remained unclear whether the injuries he sustained were a direct result of the blows to the head or were a consequence of him hitting his head when he fell.

Gardaí have taken statements from a number of people who were in the pub shortly before the assault on Mr Dennehy, while it is understood they have been studying CCTV footage from the door of the pub.

Mr Dennehy was discovered lying on the ground outside the pub by a passer-by who alerted gardaí and the emergency services. Initially, it was believed he had simply fallen but subsequent inquiries led gardaí to believe he had been assaulted.

He was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit. A hospital spokeswoman said yesterday he remained in a critical condition.

A native of Gurranabraher in Cork city, Mr Dennehy played with Cork Hibernians in the late 1960s and early 1970s and was the first player to score a hat-trick in an FAI Cup final when he scored all three goals in Hibernians' 3-0 win over Waterford in 1972.

He was subsequently signed by Dave Mackay at Nottingham Forest and later played for Walsall and Bristol Rovers. He was also capped by the Republic 11 times and he also featured for an all-Ireland selection which played Brazil in July 1973.

After his career in England came to an end, Mr Dennehy returned to Ireland where he played in the League of Ireland with Thurles Town and Galway United, well as for some junior clubs in Cork.

He also played Gaelic football with St Vincent's in the city.