A 22-YEAR-OLD man was critical in hospital last night after he was found with head injuries near a nightclub in Limerick.
The victim, who is from Co Tipperary, was found by gardaí lying on the ground bleeding heavily in the Bank Place area of the city shortly after 2.30am yesterday.
It is understood the man, who is a student in Limerick, had been socialising earlier that night at the Trinity Rooms nightclub, a popular venue for students.
He was conscious when gardaí arrived at the scene but lost consciousness later. He was taken to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle, where his condition was described as critical.
His family were keeping vigil at his bedside while gardaí at Henry Street Garda station were investigating the circumstances surrounding the assault.
A 22-year-old man, also from Co Tipperary, was arrested in a follow-up investigation shortly before lunchtime yesterday. The suspect, also a student in Limerick, was arrested on the north side of the city and was being held for questioning last night under Section Four of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.
Detectives are working to establish whether the two men were known to each other prior to the assault, which may be linked to an earlier incident that night.
Supt Frank O’Brien of Henry Street Garda station, who is leading the investigation, last night appealed for anyone with information to contact their local Garda station.
Gardaí are satisfied that people were present at the incident and are asking them to contact Henry Street on 061 212400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.