'Complete shock': Witnesses urged to come forward following 'horrible' attack in Cobh

THE chairman of the Cork County Joint Policing Committee (JPC) has appealed for witnesses to a serious assault in Cobh on Friday night to come forward.

The incident, which gardaí say occurred at around 8.55pm on Friday in a car park on the Newtown Road in Cobh, left a man in his early 30s in a critical condition in hospital.

The man was taken to Cork University Hospital, and his condition was described on Monday as critical.

A garda spokesperson said an incident room had been established at Cobh Garda Station and gardaí were appealing for witnesses to the incident to contact them.

Local Labour Party county councillor Cathal Rasmussen, who is based in Cobh and is chair of the Cork County JPC, said the incident had left the town in shock.

“People in Cobh have got a huge fright that a thing like this could happen in their area,” he said.

“We are all hoping and praying that the man survives, and the town is in complete shock that such a horrible thing has happened.” 

Mr Rasmussen said he would echo the call for witnesses to come forward.

“I would appeal to anyone who has any information at all to contact the gardaí, because you never know what piece of local knowledge might prove helpful,” Mr Rasmussen said.

Local Green Party councillor Alan O’Connor said the incident had been terrible news for the area and he added his voice to the appeal that witnesses make themselves known to the gardaí.

A garda spokesperson said on Monday that an investigation is continuing, and renewed their appeal for witnesses to this incident to come forward.

“Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the Newtown Road between 8.45pm and 9.15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cobh Garda Station on 021 4908530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station,” gardaí said.