A man remains in critical condition following an assault in Athlone on Christmas Eve morning.
Local man Alan Fox, 31, was attacked by a group of assailants at around 1.10am near the Bank of Ireland building on Church Street. The attackers kicked Fox repeatedly in the head, causing his brain to bleed.
Fox was rushed to Portiuncula hospital, where he suffered a seizure after being admitted. He remains in the hospital's intensive care unit, where his condition has improved somewhat over the last few days.
Despite the improvement, Fox now faces a long road to recovery, and needs more assessment before hospital staff can consider releasing him. While Portiuncula staff made the decision not to transfer him to Beaumont hospital, staff from both hospitals have been liaising on his treatment.
It is expected that Fox will be transferred to the National Rehabilitation Unit in Dun Laoghaire before he may return home.
Gardaí in Athlone are investigating the attack, and have interviewed a number of people and taken several witness statements. Garda Sgt Andrew Haran appealed to any members of the public who may have any information to contact the Gardaí.
Athlone Garda station can be reached on (090 ) 6492609.
