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Gardai in Navan is asking for witnesses to a serious assault that occurred in Johnstown between 9pm and 9.15pm last night.
A man was transferred to the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, Drogheda, with serious injuries and today he is in the Intensive Care Unit.
Four people are believed to have been involved in an altercation that occurred in Bothar Sion.
Locals who knew the victim described him as “a gentleman, who would do everything possible to help anyone.”
Gardai was contacted for an update on the matter tonight, but did not provide a spokesperson.
Cllr Eddie Fennessy told the Meath Chronicle that the attack on the man believed to be returning home after watching the Community Shield game between Liverpool and Arsenal in a local pub was “cowardly and shocking.”
Johnstown, where the man in his 60s was assaulted
“This was a disgusting attack on a man in his 60s who was heading home after watching the charity shield final at his local pub.
“The incident has once again exposed the Garda’s chronic under-resourcing in Navan. There are plans to deploy CCTV cameras in the vicinity of where the assault took place. They cannot be installed quickly enough at this stage. .
“Johnstown has a larger population than Trim and Kells. The only solution to fighting crime is the provision of a Garda substation in the area. I call on Justice Minister Helen McEntee for this to happen sooner than late”.
Sinn Fein Deputy Johnny Guirke condemned the attack and said he was seeking a meeting with Meath East Justice and TD Minister Helen McEntee on the issue of Garda’s Navan resources.
“There has recently been an increase in antisocial behavior in Johnstown and Navan, and although we see plans to install CCTV cameras in the area, it will not be enough to address the large number of incidents that occur. We need to see more gardai present and we need a substation of Navan Garda Station for Johnstown “.
Sinn Fein has consistently campaigned for a Garda station in Johnstown, as residents now live in fear of gangs in the area, and I will seek a meeting with the Minister of Justice, Ms. Helen McEntee, as a matter of urgency, so that we can address the ongoing incidents in Navan and Meath as a whole. ”
Anyone who witnessed the incident should contact the Navan Garda station or the confidential Garda line 1800 666111.
Last night’s assault follows another serious incident on Friday night when a group of youths forced the abandonment of the OMP Utd NECSL Youth Div 1 game against Kells Youths.
The referee made the decision to call a halt in the interest of player safety and the management of both teams due to antisocial behavior that involved a large group gathering outside the perimeter fence.
According to information that has emerged from various reliable sources, fireworks of various kinds and hard-boiled eggs were launched in the direction of the players and mentors of both teams.
The large group ignored pleas to desist from OMP Utd and Kells Youths officials and contacted other adults who were present and Gardai.
Several parents and some members of the public were watching the game from outside the substantial perimeter fence.
Spectator access was not granted due to the implementation of current Covid-19 regulations as the game was held behind closed doors.
According to various sources, there were several incidents after the game was abandoned when the visiting team tried to leave the area.
Large numbers of Gardai were seen that night in the Blackcastle area. However, there was strong criticism that Gardai had not arrived when he was called to St Mary’s Park during the incident in the field.
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