Gardai fear they won’t be able to prove which thug killed tragic Dylan McCarthy — because so many men were seen attacking him.
Officers have clear CCTV of the attack on Mr McCarthy — who died yesterday following the brutal onslaught just after midnight on Sunday — and several men are seen delivering sickening punches to his head. He is also seen to fall to the ground and his head on a kerbstone — which officers fear contributed to his death.
Gardai in Co Kildare probing his death are now awaiting results of a post mortem to see if he died from a punch — or from the fall. But sources warned that officers were unlikely to launch a murder hunt.
Read more: Gardai launch renewed appeal for information as man dies after Kildare attack
“Whoever did it will probably not be charged with murder,” a source said last night. “It might be violent disorder, or assault causing serious harm or more likely manslaughter, but not murder.
“It will be a complex case because so many people punched him in the head. The hope is the post mortem will help clear things up a bit, but this is likely to be a challenging investigation.”
Mr McCarthy, 29, lost his fight for life in Tallaght University Hospital in south Dublin yesterday afternoon. He had been on life support since the attack on the Dublin Road in Monasterevin, Co Kildare at 12.30am on Sunday.
It’s understood he suffered catastrophic fatal injuries in the attack, which happened after he and other family members were celebrating the recent birth of his niece. Medics had spent all Sunday trying to save him, but he lost his fight for life yesterday.
It’s understood Mr McCarthy, 29, had received several punches and kicks to the body and head — but officers now suspect he suffered his most devastating injury when he collapsed during the attack.
“The most likely scenario is he fell and hit his head,” a source said. "That is probably what did the most damage to the injured party.”
Read more: Man dies after suffering serious head injuries in Co Kildare attack
Mr McCarthy, from Kilmallock in Co Limerick, suffered catastrophic head and brain injuries during the assault just after midnight on Sunday. His father Eamonn, who is in his fifties, was also badly injured in the attack, but his wounds are not life threatening.
He was receiving treatment in Portlaoise General Hospital in Co Laois last night. It’s understood members of the highly respected McCarthy family had travelled from Kilmallock to Monasterevin to celebrate the recent birth of a nephew of Dylan and grandson of Eamon when the incident happened.
A Garda spokeswoman confirmed his death yesterday. She said: “Gardaí in Kildare are renewing their appeal for witnesses in relation to a serious assault in Monasterevin, Co. Kildare on Sunday, 21st August 2022. The man, aged in his 20s, who was found unresponsive at the scene and taken to Tallaght University Hospital has since passed away. He was pronounced dead this afternoon, Monday 22nd August 2022.
“The Office of the State Pathologist has been notified and a post-mortem will be conducted by Chief State Pathologist, Dr. Linda Mulligan. The results of the post-mortem will determine the course of the investigation.”
“Any person who was in the vicinity of Dublin Street, Monasterevin between 12.15am and 12.45am on Sunday, 21 August 2022 is asked to contact investigating Gardaí. Any road users who were in the area and who may have camera (including dash cam) footage is asked to make this available to Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Kildare Garda Station on 045 527730 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.”
Locals in Kilmallock said they were devastated by his death last night. And Kilmallock Church issued a statement saying his funeral service would be finalised after Dylan’s organs were donated.
Read more: Man fighting for life after being attacked by mob in Kildare
The church said: “Dylan’s heartbroken parents Eamonn and Marita, sister Orla and partner Glenn, new nephew Liam, Dylan’s partner Aoife, aunts, uncles and the McCarthy and O’Doherty families are grateful to have had Dylan for 29 years. We are very thankful for all the masses, prayers and good wishes for Dylan. Funeral details to follow.”
The village’s soccer team held a minute’s silence before a game last night and said on Facebook: “RIP Dylan McCarthy from all at Kilmallock Utd. Sympathies to all Dylan’s family and friends.”
And the local GAA team, which released this photograph of him, said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we at Kilmallock GAA pass on our heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Dylan McCarthy. Dylan played underage hurling and football at underage level and also played u21 and Junior hurling.
“He was a huge addition to any team and a real team player always.”
Dylan’s parents Marita and Eamonn and sister Orla as well as his partner Aoife were being comforted by family and friends last night.
Read next:
Gardai launch renewed appeal for information as man dies after Kildare attack
Man dies after suffering serious head injuries in Co Kildare attack
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