Farran student left unconscious after alleged attack in US
A J1 STUDENT from Farran is unconscious in a US hospital after an alleged attack while celebrating his 21st birthday in San Diego.
Evan White was found unconscious in an alleyway in the Pacific Beach area of San Diego in the early hours of Friday morning and was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
A police spokesperson said that the UCC business student had suffered a head injury and that there were no witnesses in their case. Police are treating their investigations as a suspected assault.
“The report states that Evan White was located in the south alley of 600 Law Street. He was transported to Scripps La Jola Hospital by paramedics with a head injury. He was unconscious when officers arrived to take his statement,” the police spokesperson said.
“It is unknown what caused the injuries since there wasn’t any witnesses and officers had not had the opportunity to speak with White. This is all the information we have at this time,” the spokesperson added.
The incident has left the Farran community in shock, with friends of the victim praising Mr White.
“I immediately contacted some of our friends who are there with Evan to find out what happened. They said he is in a terrible state. He has injuries everywhere but particularly to his face,” one friend said.
Michael Sheehan of Kilmurry United FC, who knew Evan from his involvement in youth teams, has spoken of his shock at learning of the incident, saying: “He was always a nice, quiet, young fella, never got into any trouble”.
The 21-year-old plays GAA with his local team, Éire Óg in Ovens and Pat Malone, chairman of Éire Óg, also expressed shock at the incident.
“He was part and parcel of what we are. He was always there for us. He was a quiet young lad, and he comes from a quiet family,” he said.
Club officials met Tuesday night to discuss what type of support they could offer the family.
“All of our thoughts and prayers are with Evan and his family at this dificult time,” Mr Malone added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs are providing consular assistance.
Mr White’s parents flew to San Diego at the weekend and are maintaining a vigil at the hospital, where he was placed into an induced coma.