A young naval recruit was fighting for his life at Cork University Hospital last night after being attacked by two men in Cobh on Sunday. The seaman, a crew member of the LE Deirdre, was walking in the west beach area some time after 2 a.m. when he was set upon. Two men are under arrest and being questioned by the Garda. The recruit, whose name was given unofficially last night as Mr Philip Galvin (20), from Athlone, suffered serious head injuries and remains in a critical condition. Yesterday his parents travelled from Athlone to be at his bedside.
Mr Galvin, who is single, was rushed to hospital after the attack and was immediately put on a life support machine. Gardai in Cork have asked for witnesses to come forward. It is believed his attackers were in their early 20s.
In another incident in the city over the weekend a young woman was kicked and punched in the head by intruders who broke into her flat in the North Mall area at about 1 a.m.