Man dies after one-punch attack outside takeaway
Tribute after victim loses fight for life
A COUNCILLOR last night paid tribute to a man who lost his battle for life after an assault outside a takeaway.
Stephen O’connor, who was in his 30s, was fatally wounded in a devastating one-punch attack in Killorglin, Co Kerry, in the early hours of Sunday.
He had been on life support at Cork University Hospital but died yesterday.
Councillor Damien Quigg said: “It’s very tragic, what’s happened. It’s a small community here and my thoughts go out to both the families. There’s the young lad who passed away but there is also the other young lad involved.
“As a parent, this is your nightmare.”
Mr Quigg said the tragic event is an isolated incident and the local area is quite safe in general.
Fr Kieran O’sullivan, the local parish priest who is based in Glenbeigh, said the family is from the locality and is worst well known in the area. It is understood Mr O’connor, who was from Glencar, Co Kerry, had a long-term partner but did not have any children.
He worked in the construction industry.
Gardai say the results of the postmortem will determine the course of the investigation. An incident room has been set up at Killorglin Garda station.
Officers are hopeful of witnesses contacting them as they believe there was a large group of people in the area when the killer punch was struck outside the fast-food shop. They are also appealing for taxi drivers or motorists with dashcam footage who think they may have captured the incident to come forward.