Man (42) Viciously Attacked at Luas Stop

A 42-year-old man, Simon Cleary from Kingswood, Co Dublin, was making his way home from the city centre when he was attacked at Belgard Square at around 1am, last night.

Simon's wife, Patricia, told Independent.ie:

He was in town having drinks with colleagues from work and got the Luas home. When he got off at Tallaght he saw a couple of fellas walking behind him and he instantly started to walk faster.

He was trying to get a taxi when the three men came up behind him and started reaching for his phone.

Simon had fallen asleep on the Luas on the way home and ended up getting off at Tallaght after missing his stop at Kingswood.

He began to walk away quickly, but it appears not quick enough, as one of the three men following him, punched him in the back of the head and he fell down. The three men continued to kick and punch Simon in the head and face.

Patricia mentioned that there had been a foot print on his face, from being kicked so badly.

His mobile phone, his work phone and his wallet were all stolen in the attack. Simon was rushed to Tallaght hospital where he received six stitches in his head and three in his lips.

Patricia wished to voice her concerns to others out late at night.

The punch from the back of the head could have killed him instantly. We read about those stories all of the time. I’m from Tallaght and it’s generally safe but I just wanted to warn people that this kind of thing can happen.

Simon is in bed trying to recover. He’s in a shocked state with a very swollen head but he’s ok. I’m lucky he’s not an overly dramatic person.

It could have been worse. I’d hate to think it would happen again to someone, particularly a young girl walking on her own. One blow can kill.

Gardai were called and are investigating the incident.