Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Facebook

Attackers 'threatened to rape man with special needs and set him on fire'

He was left with serious head injuries after the assault.

Updated: 11.25am

A MAN WITH special needs has been left with serious head injuries after an assault in Fairview Park in Dublin.

Paul Deaton (31) was looking at JCBs and diggers at a compound near the park when he was set upon by a number of young males, one of whom was on a bike.

The incident took place at about 7.45pm on Wednesday.

Paul’s sister Linda posted images of Paul’s injuries on social media.

In a Facebook post, she said a passerby brought him to a local pharmacy after the attack as there was “blood everywhere”.

She said the assailants threatened to rape him, kill him and set him on fire. Witnesses told her they recorded the incident on their phones while laughing.

Linda brought her brother to Beaumont Hospital where he had four staples inserted into his head.

She told the Anton Savage Show Paul has been left “traumatised” by the incident.

Linda said he left the house without telling anyone on Wednesday evening. She said he “loves” to watch JCBs, adding: “That’s his hobby.”

After the attack, Paul told his family a group of boys approached him and called him a weirdo.

Paula said the situation quickly escalated:

One of the lads took out a lighter, threatened to take his clothes off, set them on fire. Then he threatened to rape him and set him on fire and then kill him.

“Because he’s so quiet he wouldn’t open his mouth.”

Linda said when Paul tried to run away “one of the lads kicked him”, causing him to fall and hit his head.

She said that up to five males were kicking him at one point.

He lost a lot of blood … They threatened my brother like a piece of meat, shame on them.

Gardaí confirmed they are investigating the incident. Anyone with information should contact Clontarf Garda Station on 01 666 4800 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Lord Mayor

Lord Mayor Christy Burke, who lives nearby, visited the family this morning. He said they are still in shock.

He described the act as “nothing but savagery, thuggery and unacceptable to society”.

Burke added he’s sure gardaí will “deal with these thugs”.

Seán Haughey, another local councillor, said the community is “horrified” by the incident. He called on the public to be vigilant and report any issues to gardaí so they can “do everything … to ensure safety for park users in the future”.

Originally published: 9.53am

Read: Man beaten with baseball bats after gang storm his home

Read: Pipe bomb found under car of Fiona Doyle

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 137 comments
Close
137 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Howard Cooley
    Favourite Howard Cooley
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 11:27 AM

    I bet the sale of black market fags are up by a similar amount.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ward
    Favourite Brian Ward
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 12:00 PM

    €5 a pack is the current price apparently. God knows whats in them.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Martin Mc Cormack
    Favourite Martin Mc Cormack
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 3:08 PM

    possibly, they would need to publish the figure on matches and lighters to show up the true picture

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sharon Larkin
    Favourite Sharon Larkin
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 12:14 PM

    I got a hand written note in the door this morning. 200 cigarettes for 30 euro.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Slattery
    Favourite Patrick Slattery
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 12:44 PM

    That’s just because I gave up.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael McCarthy
    Favourite Michael McCarthy
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 2:06 PM

    Me also.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jones Frank
    Favourite Jones Frank
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 5:59 PM

    Me too

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Walsh
    Favourite Alan Walsh
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 3:55 PM

    Gave up the filthy smokes 11 months ago after 15 years. never been more pleased with myself for sticking to it. hopefully sales keep going this way

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ward
    Favourite Brian Ward
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 12:43 PM

    I remember some years back an article in the Readers Digest that said that a particular brand of rolling tobacco had 20% of the UK market even though it was not even sold over the counter by the company that made it. It was all smuggled in and was costing the Exchequer a small fortune in lost duty and taxes.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Malone
    Favourite Paul Malone
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 5:11 PM

    Combination of increased black economy and less smokers I would think. If they put more duty on cigarettes at budget time, the black economy will be laughing.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Faceless Man
    Favourite Faceless Man
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 2:18 PM

    Good news on the lung cancer front

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Grace
    Favourite Eoin Grace
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 2:38 PM

    You think so? I’d have thought people smoking unfiltered rollies or god knows what’s in them illegal imports would be more, rather than less, susceptible to lung cancer…

    And that’s before we factor in the reduction of the subsidy that smokers pay towards everyone’s health service…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute fitszpatrick
    Favourite fitszpatrick
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 7:12 PM

    If everyone’s starts smoking again the economy would re bound in no time, massive revenues, fewer pensioners you know it makes sense. Mines a benson and hedges. One rule you can only buy cigarettes if you have private health insurance from a uk or German insurer.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ian Mullen
    Favourite Ian Mullen
    Report
    Nov 15th 2011, 4:53 AM

    Give me a pack of Goldflake or Players any day

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Carroll
    Favourite Peter Carroll
    Report
    Nov 14th 2011, 12:26 PM

    The issue is pretty universal see:-

    http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0336.pdf

    Tips ( no pun intended) for the Finance Dept.

    4
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds