Gardaí have launched a murder investigation following the death of a 29-year-old man who was assaulted in Kildare town on Sunday.
Ryan Gibbons was found unresponsive on Magee Terrace on the Dublin Road at approximately 3.15am on Sunday.
He was taken to Naas General Hospital where he died a few days later.
It is understood that Mr Gibbons was involved in an exchange on a bus before the incident.
He got off the bus at a petrol station on the Dublin road in Kildare town, before the assault which happened at Magee Terrace a short distance away.
Mr Gibbons grew up in Kildare and worked in the area. He was originally from Dublin, and was a big Dublin GAA fan.
Friends described him as a "gentle soul" who could "always put a smile on your face".
"It still hasn't really hit me yet, to be honest, and so close to our home as well," Kayleigh Moran said.
"We look back on videos and stuff that we have.
"There was a lot of good times that he gave us and they’re memories that we’re going to cherish forever."
Another friend Sarah Foran described him as funny.
"He was the last person you would ever think something like this could happen to. It doesn’t feel real," she said.
Tributes paid to man who died after Kildare assault
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Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh sent her condolences to Mr Gibbons’ family and friends and encouraged anyone with information to contact gardaí.
"There is a lot of young people posting on social media [saying] he was a very warm, friendly young man who would do anything for anybody," she said.
Gardaí confirmed that a murder investigation is under way after a post-mortem examination was conducted.
They are appealing for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Dublin Road area between 2am and 4am on Sunday to contact them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Kildare Garda Station on 045 527730, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
