Olympian Jack Woolley hospitalised after street attack in Dublin
The Irish taekwondo athlete, who is bi, said "8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk" on Friday
Words: Jamie Tabberer; pictures: Instagram/@jack_woolley_tkd
Olympian Jack Woolley has revealed he was hospitalised after a violent attack in Dublin left him in need of mouth surgery last week.
Jack – Ireland’s first taekwondo Olympic athlete – was assaulted on the street on Friday, sharing news of the matter on Instagram yesterday.
The 22-year-old, who came out publicly as bisexual last year, was admitted to St James’s Hospital after the attack.
“A gang of roughy 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people”
Describing what happened in an Instagram caption, Jack said: “I went for a meal with my friend. Followed by a bar for a couple of drinks. Heading back along the River Liffey a gang of roughy 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk. Unfortunately I was victim to these random attacks as I was just walking bye [sic] I was punched in the face by one of these group members.
“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.”
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The sportsman, who shared pictures of his bruised and bloodied face, continued: “Luckily I was able to phone an ambulance and stay conscious. My friends helped me through out all of 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 and one I have heard to have died after being stabbed (word of mouth) I’m currently waiting in James’s hospital for mouth surgery.
“Thank you all again for the support and kind messages. I hope for a speedy recovery. It’s been a tough couple of months. WHAT A DAY.”
Jack competed in Tokyo earlier this month but was eliminated from the 58kg division in the first round.
A spokesperson for Garda, the state police force of the Republic of Ireland, told Attitude today: “Gardaí attended the scene of an assault that occurred on Grattan Bridge, Dublin 1 at approximately 12:40am on 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.”
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