Gardaí are investigating an alleged road rage attack in Limerick in which a well-known hip hop artist and instructor was left blind in one eye.
Tobi Omoteso said he was “hunted down” and attacked by a man armed with a baseball bat last Saturday, reports Breaking News.
He said “the world went dark” after shards of glass entered his eyes during the incident.
“The damage is not just physical, it is permanent. My iris was sliced in half and had to be meticulously stitched back together,” said Mr Omoteso, who also works with Limerick Youth Service, reports Breaking News.
A Garda spokesperson said officers received a report of an alleged assault and criminal damage incident on Old Cratloe Road in Limerick city at 10:30 am on 28 March 2026.
“A car has been reported as damaged. A male in his 30s suffered serious injuries during the incident. Investigations are ongoing”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Omoteso, speaking on a GoFundMe page set up to help cover his medical costs, described as a shocking act of violence in his own neighbourhood, reports Breaking News.
“It was the day I learned that the senseless violence you see in movie, the kind of nightmare you assume only happens to strangers, can hunt you down in your own neighbourhood.”, reports Breaking News.
The director of the TOP 8 Street Dance Company said a motorist followed him through the streets before forcing him to stop near a roundabout.
“I watched, paralysed, as he stepped out of his vehicle wielding a wooden bat. He began to beat my car, then he struck and shattered the driver’s side window with the wooden bat which exploded shards of glass, like tiny knives, sprayed across my face and buried themselves deep into both of my eyes,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Mr Omoteso claimed the attack followed a brief interaction as he was leaving his estate, saying: “Something snapped in him. He chose me.”
He said the incident occurred on a day that was meant to celebrate a hip-hop and street dance community festival he co-founded.
“It was a day meant for music, DJ, street-dance, movement, graffiti, art, unity and having fun for all regardless of race, religion, gender, age and ability. Instead, it became the end of life as I knew it,” he added, reports Breaking News.
The Limerick-based father said he now faces a long and painful recovery, including multiple surgeries, just to retain partial vision.
“I am currently facing the first of four major emergency operations. Even if every single procedure is a success, I will never see the world clearly again, which ultimately affects my job, work, dance, social interaction and confidence”, reports Breaking News.
He said his injuries are further complicated by an onset cataract and a ruptured lens capsule, both requiring surgery.
“Once the surgeons have finished rebuilding what was destroyed, and once the wounds have finally scarred over, I will be left to wait. Only then will I know how much of the light I get to keep, and how much of it was stolen by a stranger with a wooden bat”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Omoteso urged others to stay safe and thanked the public for their support.
A GoFundMe campaign set up to assist him had raised nearly €30,000 of its €35,000 target as of Tuesday.
“Wow am blown away! Nothing can beat unity! I lost an eye which I can never get back! But am reassured that with the humans I have in my corner, there will be a way forward!” “Now a very long road to recovery begins! Catch you all soon on the dance floor!”, reports Breaking News.
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