Gardaí in Limerick were yesterday examining CCTV footage following a vicious weekend assault which left a man in a critical condition in hospital, writes Karl Hanlon.
The 23-year-old man was attacked in broad daylight on Limerick's O'Connell Street shortly before 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
Shocked rugby fans on their way to Munster's match in Thomond Park watched as up to four men viciously beat the victim.
The victim, who suffered serious head injuries, was taken to Limerick Regional Hospital. He was later transferred to Cork University Hospital, where yesterday he was said to be in a critical condition.
Anyone with information on the assault should contact Limerick's Henry Street Garda Station at 061 -212 400.
Two Cork men deny murder
Two Cork men denied the murder of a 50-year-old woman in court yesterday.
Mr Thomas Penkert (21), Leitrim St, Cork, pleaded not guilty in the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Norah Kiely in Cork on July 15th, 2002.
Mr Brian Walsh (22), also of Leitrim St, pleaded not guilty to the murder. But both men pleaded guilty to robbing Ms Kiely of less than €20 cash and two items of jewellery.
Both Penkert and Walsh denied a charge that they entered a dwelling in Leitrim St, Cork, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on Ms Theresa Tatton on July 15th, 2002.
But they pleaded guilty to stealing a blue-handled knife, a tub of butter, some groceries and drinks and a phone charger from this address. They also pleaded not guilty to a charge that between the 8th and 14th July, 2002, they robbed Mr Donal Scannell of less than €70.
Man held after Dundalk fires
Gardaí in Dundalk investigating fires in the homes of two elderly men last Thursday night arrested a man in his 40s yesterday afternoon. The man, who is from Dundalk, was arrested and taken to Dundalk Garda Station. A Garda source said they expected a prosecution to follow.
No one was injured in the fires that were in two houses in separate parts of the large Muirhevnamore estate. Gardaí now believe the same culprit was involved and that robbery may have been the motive.
Mayo honour for Mary Davis
The Chief Executive of the Special Olympics, Ms Mary Davis was named yesterday as Mayo Person of the Year 2003.
Ms Davis, a native of Kiltimagh, will be presented with her award at a function in the Burlington Hotel on February 13th. She has already been honoured for her work on the Special Olympics having been named Irish Person of the Year 2003.
Kerry repatriation scheme mooted
A project to locate, repatriate and house UK-based exiles in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry, has been approved in principle by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen.
The Cahersiveen Social Services Committee is to discuss designs for up to 14 apartments in the former College Arms Hotel owned by the committee.
Since the idea was floated and publicised a few weeks ago, there have been many calls, many from single people in London desperate to come home.
Minister turns on national network
The 13,000 kilometres long ESB Telecoms National Fibre Optic Network was turned on by the Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, in Dundalk yesterday. The network was completed at a cost of €50 million and links Dublin to Limerick through Cork, Waterford, Dundalk, Sligo and Galway back to Dublin with a spur line linking Letterkenny and Buncrana.