Man critically ill after assault at party

A 51-YEAR-OLD man was critically ill in hospital last night after he was assaulted in Waterford over the weekend.

A local source said that the man was attacked as he attempted to gain entry to a party at a flat on Barrack Street in Waterford city shortly before midnight on Saturday.

The man was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital before being moved to Cork University Hospital early yesterday.

Understood to be from Waterford, he was last night said to be "critical" after suffering serious head injuries.

The Garda Press Office yesterday confirmed that a 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to nearby Waterford Garda station. The suspect was being questioned last night and can be held for up to 24 hours before being charged or released, according to a spokesman.

The building where the assault took place is divided into rented flats.

Wexford man Simon Carton (33) was murdered in the building in September 2004 after a stabbing incident. Mr Carton died after he was stabbed seven times with a kitchen knife. It is understood a row broke out between the men over the playing of a CD.

Anthony Stone, now 24 and from Ardmore Park in Ballybeg in Waterford, received a mandatory life sentence at the Central Criminal Court in November 2005 after he was found guilty of Mr Carton's murder.