AN Irish Olympic athlete suffered facial injuries after being attacked during a night out in Dublin.
Jack Woolley, who competed in Taekwondo in Tokyo, was treated in hospital following the assault on Grattan Bridge during the early hours of Saturday.
The 22-year-old from Tallaght posted images on social media of himself covered in blood and with large cuts to his face.
He was taken to St James's Hospital, where he said he would require plastic surgery to a lip wound.
Writing on Instragram, he said he was subjected to a "random" attack as he walked over the bridge after being out for a meal with a friend.
He said a group of eight to 12 men and women were attacking people walking beside the River Liffey.
"Unfortunately I was victim to these random attacks as I was just walking by before I was punched in the face by one of these group members," he wrote.
"Only one punch and followed by 'my mistake wrong person', then they continued to run off down the road attacking more civilians minding their own business."
He added: ""Luckily, I was able to phone an ambulance and stay conscious.
"My friends helped me through out all over this and I’m glad to say they both are well and safe. I am lucky this is all that happened as there were a handful of us hospitalised."
He later posted: "I just want to say thank you to everyone for the support. Hopefully I’ll be home tonight. It looks worse than it is, so don’t worry."
Mr Woolley made history last month when he became the first ever competitor from Ireland to take part in Taekwondo at Olympic level.
But his games ended in disappointment after he was defeated by Argentina’s Lucas Guzman.
A Garda spokeswoman said: "Gardai attended the scene of an assault that occurred on Grattan Bridge, Dublin 1 at approximately 12:40am today, Saturday, 14th August 2021.
"One man, aged in his 20s, was conveyed to St James's Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries sustained during the incident.
"No arrests have been made.
"Investigations are ongoing."
