Man (32) who was fatally injured during alleged assault donates organs

‘Young people should just be cautious when having a drink’

A MAN who died after suffering fatal injuries in a suspected assault in Co Kerry donated his organs so other lives might be saved.

Tributes were paid last night to Stephen O’Connor (32) who died at Cork University Hospital (CUH), where he had been on a life support machine since Sunday.

The young man was transferred to CUH from University Hospital Kerry where he had first been admitted in an unconscious state after being found with critical head injuries in Killorglin in the early hours.

Mr O’Connor, who was from Glencar on the outskirts of Killorglin, died with his family by his CUH bedside yesterday afternoon.

He had been on a lifesupport machine since being admitted to CUH and never regained consciousness.

The alleged incident occurred at 2.20am on Sunday outside a local takeaway in The Square, Killorglin, Co Kerry.

It is understood there was an altercation between two men as a group queued for food.

Mr O’Connor suffered a serious head injury and was discovered unconscious at the scene when gardaí were alerted and paramedics arrived.

He was first taken to UHK but was later transferred to CUH where his condition remained critical for 24 hours.

Mr O’Connor is understood to have five sisters and brothers and had spent time working in Australia in his 20s.

He had been socialising with friends when the tragic incident occurred.

Mr O’Connor had previously worked in the construction and farming sectors in the Killorglin area.

Local councillor Damian Quigg said he was shocked to hear the news and added that people should be out to have a good time without tragic incidents occurring.

“For two local lads to be involved with this is just desperate,” he said.

“As a councillor, to see something like this, young people should just be cautious when having a drink because this is how serious something can become.

“My thoughts are really with the family at this time and it is such a tragic thing to happen in this town.”

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident to contact them at Killarney garda station on 064 6671160 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

No arrests have been made but it is understood gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry.