This article is from page 1 of the 2006-09-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
A YOUNG man is fighting for his life
in hospital with serious head injuries
after a weekend brawl in Kildysart. Vincent Hehir (32), a father-of-five, was attacked as he socialised on Sunday night. The incident has left the small rural community in deep shock.
Gardaí say he sustained a number of blows in a fracas involving up to five men. One of the blows knocked him to the ground and he hit his head. He was then kicked to the body.
Mr Hehir, a native of Glencanane, Kildysart, moved to London a number of years ago where he has managed a bar.
He was home visiting his family in Kildysart over the weekend.
Gardaí received a call after 11pm on Sunday and discovered Mr Hehir lying on the footpath in an unconscious state on Main Street, having sustained serious head injuries.
He was removed to Ennis General Hospital and was taken from there to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick, where he underwent a CATscan. He was taken back to hospital in Ennis yesterday (Monday) morning, where his condition was described last night as critical.
Vincent’s wife Mairead flew in from the UK at lunchtime yesterday, to be by his hospital bedside as he remained on life support in the intensive care unit.
An incident room has been set up at Kilrush Garda Station. Detectives and members of the Clare Scenes of Crime Unit attended the scene yesterday.
Gardaí have spoken to a number of people who were in the young man’s company in various pubs in the hours leading up to the assault and are still keen to speak to others.
“We have not established the full extent of his injuries . . . A number of witnesses have come forward,” said Clare Chief Superintendent Liam Quinn.
“There was a bit of a brawl. We are appealing to anybody who can assist us to contact Kilrush Garda Station,” he added.