A GALWAY man was fighting for his life yesterday after he was attacked in the early hours of Sunday.
The man suffered the injuries in an incident in Tuam, Co Galway, and was last night in a critical condition in hospital in Dublin.
Shane Grogan (22), from Shop Street in Tuam, was taken to University Hospital Galway after the incident at 3.30am.
He was then transferred to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin, where his condition yesterday evening was described as critical.
Gardaí in Tuam arrested an 18-year-old local man early on Sunday.
It is believed that three men were present at the time of the attack.
A Garda spokesman confirmed that Mr Grogan was with his girlfriend at the time of the incident at the intersection of the Milltown Road and Ballinrobe Road in the north Galway town.
“An 18-year-old man who lives in Tuam was arrested earlier this morning and is in custody at Tuam Garda station as part of the investigation of an alleged assault,” said the spokesman.
The incident has shocked the local community as the injured man’s family is well known in the north Co Galway town.
Mr Grogan’s parents, Joe, who is one of the local undertakers, and Joan, were last night keeping a bed-side vigil beside their son in Dublin.
The Grogans’ extended family also own the local travel agency.
It is believed Mr Grogan was hit on the head with a large stone, but gardaí would not confirm the details of the incident.
Local Labour Party councillor Shaun Cunniffe said the community of Tuam was stunned and they were praying that Mr Grogan would pull through.