An Italian student was in intensive care at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, last night after being attacked with a bottle in Fairview Park.
Guido Nasi (17), who was on an English language study tour, was assaulted after trying to retrieve his wallet which had been stolen by a boy in his early teens.
He chased and caught the youth near railings at the Annesley Bridge exit, but was then set upon by an older man who smashed a beer bottle on his head.
The student was rushed to the Mater Hospital and later transferred to Beaumont where he underwent emergency surgery. Last night he was said to be stable but critical. The assailant was described as about 35 years old, about 5 ft 8 in, with brownish hair covering his ears. He was unshaven, possibly had a moustache, and wore a yellow T-shirt with pale blue jeans.
The boy who stole the wallet was said to be between 12 and 14, 5 ft, with fair or blond hair in a tight cut. The two fled across the park.
Gardai have interviewed the victim's friends who were with him when the incident occurred at about 10.30 p.m. on Thursday. The driver of a passing vehicle has provided a more detailed description of the assailant.
Supt John Long of Raheny Garda station, who is leading the investigation, said they were "appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to come forward".
Guido's mother flew into Dublin yesterday where she was met by volunteers from the Tourist Victim Support Service. Ms Tracy Doran, the service's co-ordinator, said it was working with the Garda and the Italian embassy to help the family to cope with the situation. Guido had been staying in Raheny with a local family.
The attack follows the death earlier this week of a 42-year-old Belgian man who was assaulted at a hostel in Ennis, Co Clare.
However, Ms Doran stressed that "violent crimes were still rare. They accounted for only about 34 per cent of referrals." There had been no increase in referrals this year despite a rise in tourist numbers, she said.
Anyone with information on the Fairview attack can contact the incident room at Clontarf Garda station at (01) 853 1000.
