Group of tourists mugged at park

A SMALL group of American tourists were attacked and mugged at Swords Town Park recently while out taking photos in the area.
The group, which consisted of a man and woman in their 20s and a woman in her 80s, were attacked by a group of youths at about 8.45pm on Saturday, May 2, while out taking photos of Swords Castle.
The man suffered a possible fractured shoulder in the attack and the younger woman was also struck a number of times, while the older woman looked on, terrified. The man was taken to Beaumont Hospital by ambulance for treatment of a suspected fracture.
A bag, containing a camera, was taken during the attack and gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone who may have been in the park between 6pm and 8.45pm to contact Swords Garda Station at 01 666 4700.
On hearing about the incident, local business owner Michael Wright, of the Wright Venue, sought out the group and treated them to a free meal at his establishment.
Speaking to The Gazette, he said that this type of thing could not be allowed to happen again, as all the work to promote Swords as a tourist destination would be in vain if the tourists could not be protected when they visit the town.
“Fingal [County Council] have developed the castle as an attraction and it’s great to have it, but we as a community need to get together and make sure we look after the tourists that come to Swords,” he said.
Cllr Darragh Butler (FF) echoed Wright’s views of the detriment incidents such as this could have on the reputation of Swords as a tourist destination, and appealed to anyone with information to come forward.