A pensioner is fighting for his life after being violently attacked as he walked home from the pub in the early hours of this morning.
It’s understood the victim, who has been named locally as Paddy Hanserd, was hit with a shovel close to his flat at Courtney Place in Ballybough at around 2am.
Gardai are investigating whether the attack stemmed from a row after Mr Hanserd, who is in his 70s, asked a man who lives close by to be more considerate when it came to late night parties.
A number of witnesses have already talked to investigating officers and it’s understood that CCTV footage from the area may have captured the attack.
Mr Hanserd is in a critical condition at the Mater after suffering serious spinal and head injuries in the brutal assault.
A man was arrested as part of the investigation and is currently detained at Mountjoy Garda Station under Section 4, Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
A source said: “Paddy apparently asked a guy very innocently to keep it down when it came to his late night parties as people were sick of it.
“Whether one word followed another is something gardai will investigate. Paddy was on his way home at around 2am and he was just attacked.
“He’s in a very bad way and family and friends are just hoping he will pull through.”
Local councillor Nial Ring said that Mr Hanserd is a gentleman and the whole area is shocked by what has happened.
He told the Irish Mirror: “I know the family very well, they are well-known in the area.
“The victim Paddy is from a very respected family. People are not only shocked but disgusted that someone like Paddy, who just goes about his business and potters around the area and goes for the odd pint, has had this happen to him.
“It’s shocking that this has happened. My own mother was at mass this morning and a prayer was said for him. Everyone is hoping he will pull through.
“The only good thing is that a lot of witnesses have come forward and the gardai have been on top of it.”
He added: “He’s from a huge family, I think there were 21 of them in the family.
“The community are together in sending their thoughts and prayers to him.”
