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Councillor attacked by man who said he "smirked" at him
Noel Rock was attacked in Dublin city.
7.24pm, 27 Jul 2015
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A FINE GAEL county councillor has told how he was assaulted during an attempted mugging in Dublin over the weekend.
Speaking to RTÉ’s Liveline today, Noel Rock told how he had been walking opposite the capital’s Gate Theatre at 1.30am on Saturday when a man assaulted him from behind, punching him in the side of the head.
Rock said that he had been walking alone, looking for a taxi when the assault happened.
“Before I knew what had happened, I had gotten a punch in the jaw.
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“I was walking along, keeping myself to myself as I always do and got a blow to the side of the head.
I turned around and asked him what he was thinking and he accused me of smirking at him.
Rock, a councillor for the Glasnevin and Drumcondra ward, says that they man then lunged for his laptop bag, but he was able to flag a taxi whose driver stopped and dropped him “away from the danger”.
He said that gardaí have told him that punches from behind are a common method of muggings.
Rock said that he was left with bruising and swelling around his jaw and doctors have advised he undergo a CT scan when the swelling goes down.
Despite getting away without being robbed, Rock said that there wasn’t much in the bag anyway.
“It just had election leaflets and a notebook in it.”
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I was traveling from Tralee to Limerick this evening, on approach there were road calming measures set up to prepare drivers for the scene of an accident and a diversion into the countryside to circumnavigate the carnage ahead . I knew something terrible had happened ahead in the distance one I saw the first checkpoint. Very sad altogether for those involved. My thoughts go out to all involved . I saw the scene ahead at the time, very frightening and disturbing , it looked chaotic. Keep your concentration on Irish roads folks at all times. Be safe
How many people must die on this stretch of road between Rathkeale and Newcastle West before the council wakes up ! It is 100 kph ,Is this a safe speed ,if so what’s wrong?
I was driving on this road an half hour before it happened. There was a speed van on the road- I have witnessed previously dangerous overtaking and then braking once they see the van. Add to that the appalling weather and it was a recipe for tragedy.
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