Vicious assault on taxi driver
GARDAI at Naas are investigating reports of an assault on a man in Sallins in the early hours of Sunday morning last.
Jim Ward of Jimmy's Cabs, who suffers from chronic lymphatic leukaemia, claims he was brutally attacked while waiting on a fare outside a pub in Sallins at 1.10am.
"I can hardly talk to be honest with you," said Jim, speaking after his ordeal to the Leinster Leader.
"I got a call to pick up this lady and her friends at 1.10am and was sitting with three of them in the car and waiting for two more when this lad came over and started to break the window. "
According to Jim, who lives at The Court in Sallins, he knows his attacker and has identified him to the gardai.
Gardai in Naas have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
"He opened the door and started kicking me around the head," said Jim. "I couldn't get the seat belt off - he then pulled me out of the car and dragged me down the road. I have bruises on my arms where he pulled me. He then started kicking me. I don't know if I'll ever be back to myself.
"My wife, Mary had two heart attacks last year and my grand daughter Victoria has special needs. I turned 58 on Monday. I have been driving my taxi for five years. We are a close family so that helps."
Jim's only child Frances Ward, who set up the Angel Eyes charity having being inspired by her seriously visually-impaired daughter Victoria, was at a nearby fundraiser for Rehab Ireland when she heard the news of the assault.
"We spent the night in the hospital with dad. It was just shocking to see a man with chronic lymphatic leukaemia beaten to a pulp," she said.
Frances extended the family's thanks to locals who rallied around in the wake of the attack.
"The gardai response time was so quick and they were so supportive throughout and couldn't do enough. The staff at Naas Hospital were also great and the amount of people who came around yesterday (Sunday) to see if dad was ok was tremendous.
Frances said it was shocking to see "the man who has reared you beat to a pulp", adding that she herself had suffered a heart attack last year due to stress.
"I would like to thank the people of Sallins for all their support since the attack. I wouldn't like one bad egg to give the place a bad name. It's my father this weekend but whose dad is it going to be next weekend?"
Mr Ward was released from Naas General Hospital on Monday and has since been released and is recovering at home.
Anyone with any information should contact 045 884 300.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Naas, Ireland
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
