Liam Joseph Whorrisky (26), from Donegal in Southern Ireland, is in a critical condition with very serious head injuries.He was left for dead unconscious on the pavement before being seen by a taxi driver, who called the police.The attack happened outside the entrance to the Esplanade car park at around 2.30 am on Saturday as the victim walked home with the men alleged to have attacked him.’It is not clear what happened, but at some time he was set upon by the men,’ he added.The inquiry team is keen to speak to anyone in the Esplanade area at the time, taxi drivers and those who might have seen the victim or the attackers around the town before the incident.Eight local men in their 20s were arrested over the weekend in relation to the assault and are in the process of being questioned.Chief insp Bonjour said: ‘His condition is critical.
He is fighting for his life.
We do not know which way it will go at this time.
This is clearly a very serious incident.’He said that three people were taken into custody in the hours after the assault and a further five arrested during the past 24 hours.
All eight are resident in the Island.’We would like to speak to anyone who saw a large group of men walking along the Esplanade from the Weighbridge towards West Park,’ he added.
‘The victim was with the group.’We know there was a couple following the group and we would like to talk to them.’Ch insp Bonjour added that a man was seen leaving the car park on foot and a car drove past at the time of the attack.Mr Whorrisky is known to have been in Folies on Saturday night and it is thought some of the men who allegedly attacked him were in Liquid.
The police believe he was involved in an incident at the bar during which there was what officers described as ‘some elbowing’.
It is not known whether this was connected with the later attack.Officers were this morning poring over CCTV footage and appealed to people in Folies or Liquid to come forward with photographs taken on Saturday which may hold vital information.Mr Whorrisky is described as being 6 ft tall and slim with dark hair.
He was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.Anyone with information that may help the inquiry should call the police on 612612.
