File for DPP as seven are freed in Delaney case

Seven people questioned by gardai in Co Tipperary yesterday in relation to the assault of the Kilkenny hurler P.J

Seven people questioned by gardai in Co Tipperary yesterday in relation to the assault of the Kilkenny hurler P.J. Delaney were released last night without charge.

A file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Insp Bernard O'Neill of Thurles Garda station said the five men and two women, all aged between 19 and 33, were arrested early yesterday at a number of locations in the North Tipperary area.

Three were taken to Thurles Garda station, two to Cahir and the remainder to Nenagh.

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All were arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and questioned under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

They were initially held for six hours. This was extended yesterday afternoon until the seven were eventually released at around 8 p.m.

Mr Delaney (26), an accountant from Johnstown, Co Kilkenny, received serious head injuries following an assault outside a Thurles night-club in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He remained in a critical but stable condition at Cork University Hospital yesterday.

However, a source close to the Delaney family said he had shown a slight improvement after doctors took him off sedation and he began breathing on his own, though with the help of a ventilator.

According to the source, Mr Delaney's parents, Pat and Eileen, and his girlfriend, Ms Sarah King, who are maintaining a vigil at his bedside, are greatly encouraged by the slight improvement.

Mr Delaney, who came on as a sub for the Kilkenny team in this year's All-Ireland final against Cork, was attacked after coming out of a night-club in Hayes's Hotel on Liberty Square at about 2.45 a.m.

The assault stemmed from an argument earlier in the night with a group of men who were later expelled from the club.

A number of others were injured in the fracas which followed the attack on Mr Delaney.

Gardai maintained their appeal last night for any witnesses who have not yet come forward to do so.