This article is from page 11 of the 2006-05-09 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 11 JPG
MEDICS believe that the man found with serious head injuries in Lisdoonvarna a fortnight ago was assaulted.
Jim Kearney (56) was found unconscious close to the town centre, in the early hours of Monday, April 24. He has undergone surgery in hospital in Cork, where he remains in a critical condition.
Initial garda enquiries led them to believe he sustained his injuries in a fall. However, The Clare People has learned that new medical evidence has now raised further issues.
Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn, who is leading the investigation into the incident, said, “Further medical evidence, which is available to us now, would seem to indicate that the injuries may not have been inflicted due to a fall”.
“He has serious head injuries, which would seem to be caused by a fall, but what caused the fall is the question,” he added.
Gardai have interviewed a number of people who were in Mr Kearney’s company in the hours leading up to the incident and are continuing to conduct enquiries.
They will meet with medical personnel at Cork University Hospital this week, in an effort to further their investigations.
Mr Kearney is a native of Wexford and has worked as a chef in various north Clare restaurants for many years.