Share
20th March 2024
10:55am GMT
Ian Baitson passed away yesterday (March 19) in Cork University Hospital following the attack which took place on Friday night.
He had been in critical condition following emergency surgery on a traumatic leg injury, reports the Irish Examiner.
A gardai family liaison officer has been appointed and gardai are appealing for witnesses and any drivers with dash camera footage to come forward.
Gardai believe that Mr Baitson knew his attackers and had agreed to meet them.
He was attacked after he approached a man in a car, who swung a long-bladed weapon at him, believed to have been a Samurai sword, striking him on one of his legs, and causing devastating injuries.
Mr Baitson collapsed instantly and began bleeding profusely.
A post-mortem on his body is set to be carried out today and the gardai will then decide if they will continue with a murder investigation.
In a statement released yesterday gardai said: "At approximately 8.55pm, a man in his early 30s was seriously injured during the course of an assault in a car-park on the Newtown Road.
"The man was taken to Cork University Hospital for treatment. He has since been pronounced deceased, this afternoon."
They added: "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cobh Garda Station on 021 490 8530, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station."
Just hours after the attack on Friday, members of the Armed Support Unit swooped in on a house in the Springfield Park area of the town.
Detectives are currently trying to establish the motive for the attack. One line of enquiry involves a potential debt.
Read more:
