Gardai in Cork have arrested a fourth man in connection with an attack three weeks ago on a 20-year-old Limerick student, who remains on a life support machine.
Mr Denis Franklin was found unconscious after the attack near the Grand Parade area of Cork. He was taken to the Cork University Hospital suffering from serious injuries. He never regained consciousness.
The attack came a week after an incident in which a 28-year-old Cork man, Mr Christopher Scully, was left lying in a pool of blood at Sober Lane, off Sullivan's Quay. Mr Scully suffered extensive injuries to his head and is also on a life support machine at the same hospital.
In a third incident, two weeks ago, an Asian man was attacked and robbed.
It is understood gardaí are preparing a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of the attacks on Mr Scully and the Asian man.
Yesterday a 19-year-old man from the Douglas area of the city was taken into custody at Togher Garda station and question about the Franklin attack, which occurred during a row between groups who were arguing on the street. It is expected that a file will also be sent to the DPP.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Adrian Culligan has dismissed claims that Cork has become a no- go area at night because of street violence.
At a forum on crime in the city earlier in the week, he said Cork had avoided a serious street-crime problem because of planned co-operation between nightclub owners, vintners and the Garda. Earlier, a retired Circuit Court Judge, Mr Anthony Murphy, had called for the closure of nightclubs and described them as places of evil.
Mr Culligan said he would not agree with those sentiments. He added that street violence could be stamped out if young people took responsibility for their alcohol consumption and curtailed binge drinking at weekends.