Updated: 11.25am
A MAN WITH special needs has been left with serious head injuries after an assault in Fairview Park in Dublin.
Paul Deaton (31) was looking at JCBs and diggers at a compound near the park when he was set upon by a number of young males, one of whom was on a bike.
The incident took place at about 7.45pm on Wednesday.
Paul’s sister Linda posted images of Paul’s injuries on social media.
In a Facebook post, she said a passerby brought him to a local pharmacy after the attack as there was “blood everywhere”.
She said the assailants threatened to rape him, kill him and set him on fire. Witnesses told her they recorded the incident on their phones while laughing.
Linda brought her brother to Beaumont Hospital where he had four staples inserted into his head.
She told the Anton Savage Show Paul has been left “traumatised” by the incident.
Linda said he left the house without telling anyone on Wednesday evening. She said he “loves” to watch JCBs, adding: “That’s his hobby.”
After the attack, Paul told his family a group of boys approached him and called him a weirdo.
Paula said the situation quickly escalated:
One of the lads took out a lighter, threatened to take his clothes off, set them on fire. Then he threatened to rape him and set him on fire and then kill him.
“Because he’s so quiet he wouldn’t open his mouth.”
Linda said when Paul tried to run away “one of the lads kicked him”, causing him to fall and hit his head.
She said that up to five males were kicking him at one point.
He lost a lot of blood … They threatened my brother like a piece of meat, shame on them.
Gardaí confirmed they are investigating the incident. Anyone with information should contact Clontarf Garda Station on 01 666 4800 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
Lord Mayor
Lord Mayor Christy Burke, who lives nearby, visited the family this morning. He said they are still in shock.
He described the act as “nothing but savagery, thuggery and unacceptable to society”.
Burke added he’s sure gardaí will “deal with these thugs”.
Seán Haughey, another local councillor, said the community is “horrified” by the incident. He called on the public to be vigilant and report any issues to gardaí so they can “do everything … to ensure safety for park users in the future”.
Originally published: 9.53am
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