A young man has died after suffering critical injuries in a suspected early morning assault in Kerry.

The man, named locally as Stephen O’Connor, died at Cork University Hospital (CUH) where he had been on a life support machine since being transferred from University Hospital Kerry (UHK) on Sunday.

Mr O’Connor (32), who was from Glencar on the outskirts of Killorglin, died with his family by his CUH bedside.

An alleged incident occurred at 2.20am on Sunday morning outside a local takeaway in The Square, Killorglin, Co Kerry.

It is understood there was an altercation between two men.

Mr O’Connor was unconscious at the scene when the emergency services arrived.

He was taken to UHK but later transferred to CUH where his condition was critical for the past 24 hours.

He is believed to work in construction and farming and had been out with friends earlier in the day before the incident happened.

Kerry’s Councillor Damian Quigg said he was shocked to hear the news and said people should be out to have a good time without incidents like this occurring.

“As a councillor to see something like this, young people should just be cautious when having a drink because this is how serious something can become.

“My thoughts are really with the family at this time and it is such a tragic thing to happen in this town.”

The local coroner and office of the State Pathologist have been notified.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be carried out tomorrow. Investigating gardaí say the results of the post-mortem will determine the course of their investigation and are renewing their appealing for witnesses.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident to contact them at Killarney Garda station on 064 6671160 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

They said that they received significant co-operation from people who were in the area at the time of the alleged incident.

Gardaí are particularly appealing to those who were in the vicinity of the The Square, Killorglin in the early hours of Sunday morning to contact them.

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