An English tourist is in a critical condition following an assault in Dublin city centre in the early hours of this morning.
Emergency services were called to the Temple Bar Square area at around 12.30am.
A man, aged in his 40s, was taken to Beaumont Hospital for treatment.
A technical examination of the scene has taken place and an investigation is under way.
Gardaí are appealing to witnesses, or anyone with information relating to the incident or who may have video footage from the scene, to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said he has been briefed on the assault.
"While a garda investigation is under way I will not comment further but I want to wish the injured man a full recovery and appeal for any witnesses to come forward to assist An Garda Síochána," he said.
Antisocial behaviour issues 'by no means resolved'
The chair of the Aston Quay and Temple Bar Business and Residents' Alliance has said that this morning’s attack on an English Tourist in the area is a sign that despite improvements in recent months, the issue of antisocial behaviour "is by no means resolved".
The chair of an advocacy group aimed at reducing crime in Temple Bar has said that this morning’s attack on an English Tourist in the area is a sign that despite improvements in recent months, the issue of antisocial behaviour "is by no means resolved".
Stephen Kennedy, chair of the Aston Quay and Temple Bar Business and Residents’ Alliance and owner of Copper + Straw coffee shop, is one of 50 business owners and seven apartment complex managers, who alongside the Temple Bar Residents Association, came together to tackle rising antisocial behaviour in the tourist hotspot.
Involved in the advocacy group's formation two years ago, Mr Kennedy said this morning’s "heartbreaking" incident - is a reminder that they cannot become complacent, amid what he described as an "encouraging improvement" over the past six months.
"There's been a new approach to public order policing in the city centre. There are high visibility garda patrols in the area, and with that we have seen a reduction in drug dealing and antisocial behaviour."
"It’s been something we’ve been calling for and lobbying for, and it’s great to see that."
"But obviously an incident like last night really reminds us that we can't be complacent," Mr Kennedy added.
"The city centre is complex, and it has its challenges. This situation is by no means resolved," he said.
Mr Kennedy said the group are now calling for authorities to maintain and increase high visibility foot patrols in the area, which he says have been effective in reducing crime.
However, he added that antisocial behaviour in Temple Bar is not just a policing issue.
"Our group is working very constructively with Dublin City Council to look at solutions from an urban planning and design perspective," Mr Kennedy said.
"The side lanes and the back lanes in Temple Bar are a problem. They're predominantly used for drug dealing, for drug use. There are high rates of antisocial behaviour in those lanes."
"So, we're really looking at ways to repurpose, reuse, reimagine, and regenerate the lanes, and put them back into good use," Mr Kennedy said.
"We need to get people into the lanes because where there's people, there's natural surveillance. And that in itself acts as a deterrent to antisocial behaviour," he added.
