A CANDLELIT VIGIL has been held in Dublin’s north inner city this evening for a local man who was attacked outside his home at the weekend. 

Paddy Hansard, who is in his 70s, had been having a drink with his partner in his local pub before heading home when the attack occurred. 

He was assaulted at Courtney Place in Ballybough at around 2am on Saturday morning. 

Over a hundred locals from around the area, including community leaders and politicians, gathered shortly before 8.30pm to hold prayers for Hansard, who remains in a critical condition in hospital. 

A vigil is taking place here at Courtney Place for Ballybough local Paddy Hansard, a man in his 70s who was assaulted with a shovel in an unprovoked attack at the weekend. pic.twitter.com/tQu9BMCKiZ

— Cónal Thomas (@ConalThomas) August 19, 2019

Prayers and speeches were held outside Courtney Place complex in Ballybough, where Hansard lives, before those present laid candles, spelling out his name. 

Ross Dunne, who has known Hansard for ten years, told TheJournal.ie that “Paddy is the nicest guy” and that it was “just unbelievable what happened”. 

Former Lord Mayor and local councillor Nial Ring said that the Hansard family had lived in Ballybough for decades and described Paddy as a “quiet and inoffensive man”. 

Katherine Reynolds, a family friend of the Hansard family said this evening: “It’s sad. It’s so sad. For somebody to be coming home after having a couple of drinks and for that to happen to them? It’s not on.”

“[Paddy] is a very quiet man, a very, very quiet man. He minds his own business, a great fella altogether. I just hope he pulls through.”

Gardaí are continuing their investigations into Saturday’s attack.

A man was arrested in relation to the incident but has since been released and a file has been sent to the DPP. 

Investigating gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact the incident room at Mountjoy Station.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on 01-6668601, the Garda Confidential Line 18000 666 111 or any Garda station.