Kilkenny taxi driver rushed to St Luke’s after brutal attack by thugs who tried to flag him down

A KILKENNY taxi driver suffered serious head injuries after he was brutally attacked by a group of people in the city-centre just moments after they tried to flag him down.

The 45-year-old victim, who is from the city, was savagely assaulted in the unprovoked attack on John Street a minute after midnight yesterday.

KilkennyNow.ie has learned the taxi driver had just passed a group of six people – three males and three females – who tried to flag him down looking for a lift home.

When the driver was passing them by, some of the group attempted to block him on the road. One of the men kicked the car as the driver tried to pass them.

A short distance up the road the taxi driver stopped his car and got out to inspect the damage.

Some of the group then ran up to the driver and attacked him.

A source told KilkennyNow.ie: “The taxi driver fell on to the ground after they assaulted him. It was pretty vicious stuff. He was kicked in the head as he was lying on the ground.”

An ambulance was called and the taxi driver was rushed to St Luke’s General Hospital where he was treated for head injuries.

He suffered swelling and lacerations to the face and head. His eye was swollen so badly it was closed over. The driver also suffered a fractured jaw in the attack.

Gardai investigating the incident are satisfied that the suspects are from the city, and officers are currently trawling through CCTV footage from the area in a bid to identify them.

Kilkenny gardai are also appealing to members of the public for assistance in identifying the attackers.

A Garda spokesperson told KilkennyNow.ie: “We’re looking for any potential eyewitnesses to this violent and unprovoked attack or anyone who can offer any assistance to contact Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 777 5000.”