THE TRAGIC DEATH of a father of three who suffered head injuries on the streets of Gorey last Friday night has shaken the town to its core.

Local people cannot believe how a quiet night out can have gone so horrifically wrong, and the loss of 40-year-old Jim Doyle has been too sad to contemplate.

Jim and his cousin Neil Doyle (26) and been out socialising separately last Friday night, and had ended up in the nightclub at the Mezz Bar on Pearse Street. It is believed they met up outside, and left the premises together at around 2.30 a.m., parting company on the Fort Road at the Eire Street junction.

It is alleged that Neil was subjected to a serious assault on Eire Street during which he was knocked to the ground and sustained serious injuries to his face. He pursued his assailant back down the short distance to Pearse Street, where he once again met Jim.

It is believed the two cousins were commencing back up the Fort Road, when the second attack is said to have occurred at around 2.40 a.m.

This time a number of men were alleged to be involved in a serious assault, after which Jim was found unconscious on the ground. He never regained consciousness.

Gardai and emergency services arrived on the scene within minutes, and both men were removed to Wexford General Hospital, where Neil was treated for multiple fractures to his jaw and other injuries.

Gardai sealed off the scene at the Fort Road, just past the junction with Pearse Street, and conducted a technical examination the following day.

Two men were arrested on The Avenue in Gorey at 4 a.m. on Saturday morning. They were brought to Gorey Garda Station and detained under Section 4 of

the Criminal Justice Act. One of them was later charged, while another was released.

On Saturday evening, two more men were arrested at around 8 p.m. at separate addresses in Gorey, and detained at Enniscorthy Garda Station. They were later charged.

Jim had suffered serious head injuries, and was transferred to the specialist Richmond Unit in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin on Saturday afternoon, where he remained in a critical condition as his devastated family kept a vigil by his bedside. He passed away at around 11 a.m. on Monday morning with his family around him.

A post mortem was due to take place yesterday, Tuesday, and Gardai were awaiting the outcome of this before forwarding a file to the DPP to see if further charges will be contemplated in the case.

The intensive Garda investigation is continuing and Gardai have interviewed witnesses and other people who were in the area on the night.

'We would ask any witnesses that happened to be in the nightclub that we haven't interviewed, would they make themselves available to us,' said a Gorey Garda spokesperson. 'We would also like to talk to anyone who witnessed assaults taking place on Eire Street or on the Fort Road.'

He confirmed that the case at the moment is being treated as one of serious assault, but that other charges may be brought after the file goes to the DPP.

The local Gardai expressed their deepest sympathies with the family of the deceased. 'It's a terrible tragedy,' said the spokesperson. 'The town is shocked.'

He thanked those who have already assisted them with their enquiries for their cooperation. Anyone who can assist the Gardai with their investigation is asked to contact Gorey Garda Station on ( 053) 9430690, the Garda Confidential Line (1800) 666111 or any Garda Station.