An Irish man who was allegedly assaulted two weeks ago in Christchurch on the southern island of New Zealand has died in hospital.
The 61-year-old man, described by a friend as a “hell of a nice guy”, was chased from a bus station on Colombo St to Cashel St, where he was said to have been assaulted around 6:20 p.m. meter, on Tuesday, October 18.
He suffered from a serious head injury and was rushed to Christchurch Hospital and if put on a life support machine from where he fought for his life I gave him. However, he passed last Friday.
Investigating officers cordoned off parts of Cashel St for several hours to allow forensic examinations.
The self-employed horticulturist and landscaper is believed to have moved from Ireland to New Zealand several years ago and lived in Wellington, North Island, before moving to Christchurch.
An 18-year-old man was arrested in connection with the crash and brought before Christchurch District Court last week on charges of injury with intent to cause serious personal injury.
Christchurch police said in a statement that further charges against the teenager are being investigated.
In tribute to the man who died, the Irish Club of Auckland said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with our community in Christchurch. A member of the Christchurch Irish Society was attacked just over a week ago and sadly passed away on Friday. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. May he rest in peace,” reported Mirror.
The Irish man has not yet been named because relatives abroad have not yet been informed. He was a member of the Christchurch Folk Club and the Christchurch Irish Society.
The police statement added: “There will be no further comment from the family or police,” Mirror reported.
The victim was born in Ireland but moved to New Zealand many years ago and lived in Wellington before moving to Christchurch. He was a member of the Christchurch Folk Club and the Christchurch Irish Society.
If he’s entitled to that the weekend before he was allegedly assaulted, he spent several hours tidying up a memorial garden in the Irish Society club rooms and was always ready to help where he could, the friend said.
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