Man is quizzed after fatal assault near pub
GARDAI were last night questioning a man after a Waterford native died following an alleged assault outside a pub.
A man in his 20s, who knew the victim, was arrested less than an hour after the incident in Portlaw, Co Waterford, in which a 45-year-old suffered fatal injuries.
It is understood the incident happened a short distance from a pub in the town where the men had been socialising in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The victim, who has been named locally as John Butler, was apparently struck following an argument and fell to the pavement.
Gardai said their investigation will now be determined by the findings of a post-mortem examination to be conducted at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).
It is unclear whether the incident may have involved a so-called ‘one-punch attack’.
Gardai were called to the scene shortly before 2am after locals reported a serious assault.
The 45-year-old man was assessed at the scene as having critical injuries and was taken to UHW.
Despite desperate efforts by doctors to stabilise his condition, he was pronounced dead shortly after being admitted to hospital.
A post-mortem is scheduled to take place later.
The young man allegedly involved in the incident had left the scene.
He was located and arrested a short time later before being taken to Tramore garda station for questioning.
The suspect can be questioned for an initial period of 12 hours.
The victim is understood to be from the Carrick-onSuir area.
Gardai preserved the scene for a full forensic and technical examination by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.
They have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.
Gardai are also checking CCTV footage from the area to determine if the incident was caught on camera.