Garda detectives had last night identified most of the group of up to 20 youths involved in a fracas in Dublin early yesterday in which one 19-year-old youth received severe head injuries.
It is understood that the injured youth, a student from Dundrum, was kicked in the head a number of times after falling to the ground. He is described as critically ill in hospital.
Gardaí were informed about the incident at around 2 a.m. yesterday after the injured youth was transferred from St Vincent's Hospital to the intensive care unit of Beaumont Hospital, where he was reported to be in a coma.
It is understood the fracas started after a group of friends who had been drinking together before receiving their Leaving Cert results emerged from The Goat Inn pub onto Taney Road.
This group were mainly from the Dundrum area.
Gardaí believe that as they crossed Taney Road they were confronted by another group of youths, believed to be mainly from the Stillorgan and Cabinteely areas, and fighting broke out. It spilled onto the Taney Road, and gardaí have asked for car drivers, some of whom had to swerve to avoid the youths, to contact them.
A number of the injured youth's friends made statements yesterday and by mid-afternoon detectives were able to identify most of the youths from both groups. Several were contacted yesterday and others are due to be spoken to today.
Garda sources said the two groups appeared to know each other but the reason for the fighting was not known. Charges are expected to be brought once all the youths and witnesses are questioned.