A MAN WAS left fighting for his life yesterday after he was set upon by a gang in an unprovoked attack.
The 44-year-old victim was found badly beaten and with a number of stab wounds and lacerations to his upper body at Innishmore Drive, Ballincollig, Co Cork, at 10.30pm on Thursday.
The victim was discovered on the ground in the middle of the estate and was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital, where his condition is described as critical. It is understood the gang responsible for the attack fled in a dark coloured car which was involved in a collision shortly afterwards.
The scene was preserved for a technical examination and gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the incident. It is understood a group of five men had arrived at the park earlier in the evening and targeted a particular house. When there was nobody home they attacked an apparently innocent passerby in what may have been a case of mistaken identity.
Supt Con Cadogan, who is leading the investigation, said officers received an emergency call and were told that a serious assault had occurred in the area. Supt Cadogan said the attack followed on from a previous incident in Innishmore at about 8.30pm on Thursday. “We did receive a number of 999 calls at the radio control room and I would appeal to those people to make contact to us at Ballincollig Garda station.
“We obviously need to speak to the injured party in this case to establish clearly what the circumstances were . . . But as of now the investigation is leading towards the fact that this person was an innocent individual who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Mayor of Co Cork and Ballincollig-based councillor Derry Canty said local people were horrified at the incident, which occurred on a night when the area was celebrating the 25th anniversary of a family centre.
“This has really upset people because it could have happened to anyone. It seems a case of wrong place at wrong time. A case of mistaken identity.” Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí in Ballincollig on (021) 4871222.