Football fans dig deep to support Dunboyne man seriously injured in Anfield attack

Football fans have raised over €13,00 in just over seven hours for Dunboyne man Sean Cox who is fighting for his life after being attacked outside Anfield last night.

Go Fund me and Just Giving pages were set up earlier today to help cover medical costs by kind-hearted Liverpool supporters shocked by the savage attack on the popular Dunboyne man.

Former St Peter's GFC chairman and current treasurer, Mr Cox (53) is in a critical condition after sustaining a severe head injury following violent clashes before the Champions League semi-final between Liverpool and Roma on Tuesday.

The GoFund Me page was set up by Liverpool fan Emmet Kavanagh and was just €2,000 off it's €15,000 target at 10pm (Wednesday night) "I'm an admin on Irish Liverpool Reds FB page. On Tues 24th April a fellow Liverpool fan from Ireland (Sean Cox) was badly attacked outside Anfield before the Champions League Semi Final. I had decided to set up this page to help raise funds to cover Sean's medical expenses and expenses incurred by his family to help them to stay by his side. I have been in contact with a family member and they are aware that we are raising money. Once the money is raised I plan on withdrawing it by cheque/bank draft and presenting it to either Sean and/or his family."

You can donate to the GoFundMe page here  or the JustGiving page here

Mr Cox, who is heavily involved with his local GAA club St Peter's and well known in Dunboyne, was left fighting for his life following an altercation at approximately 7.35pm outside the ground. Local TD Thomas Byrne tweeted "I sincerely hope and pray that Sean Cox, a most decent man of the Dunboyne community, makes a full recovery." 

Liverpool FC also issued a statement:

"Liverpool Football Club is shocked and appalled after a Liverpool supporter was left in a critical condition having been attacked prior to the Champions League fixture against AS Roma.

"Our thoughts, in the first instance, are with the victim and his family at this very traumatic time. We will be offering them our full support.

"The club has been liaising with the emergency services since the incident occurred and will continue to do so. 

"Liverpool FC directs supporters and those in attendance at the game to Merseyside Police’s appeal for information.

 

A statement from St Peter's GFC read "The Club is aware of an incident involving our Club colleague, Sean Cox, at the Champions League game at Anfield last night. Sean is a long serving and popular member of St. Peter’s GAA Club in Dunboyne. At this point we hope that Sean is receiving all of the medical care he requires and that he makes a full and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sean and his family, and we hope that they get the privacy and space they need. We will not be making any further statement at this time."
 

 

Police in Liverpool arrested two Italian men for attempted murder was attacked outside the ground with a belt and suffered a head injury.

"Merseyside Police can confirm that two men, aged 25 and 26 years from Rome, have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 53-year-old man was seriously injured before the Champions League semi-final game this evening (Tuesday, 24 April 2018).

"The man was arrested inside the ground after officers carried out a number of proactive inquiries in a bid to identify those involved in the incident.

"Officers were called to the Albert public house at about 7.35pm following reports that a man, believed to be 53 years from Ireland, had been seriously assaulted."

Paramedics attended at the scene and the victim, who suffered a head injury, was taken to Walton Neurological Centre where his condition is described as critical.
 

Chief Superintendent Dave Charnock, said: “The vast majority of the 52,500 fans attending the game were well behaved and went to watch a good game of football. However, a minority of fans from both Liverpool and Roma were involved in isolated pockets of disorder in the city centre and near to the ground.
 

Officers are particularly keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident and have information which could help them with their inquiries to contact them immediately. 
Forensic examinations have been carried out at the scene and CCTV footage from the area will be reviewed in a bid to identify the offender/offenders.

Detective Inspector Paul Speight, said: “We believe the victim, was in Liverpool with his brother, for the Liverpool v Roma semi-final and was assaulted during an altercation between Roma and Liverpool fans near to the Albert pub at about 7.35pm.

“Witnesses report that the victim was hit with a belt and then fell to the ground. Paramedics treated him at the scene and he was taken by ambulance to Walton Neurological Centre, where he is being treated for a head injury. His condition is currently described as critical and his next of kin have been informed.

“The place where this incident occurred is right by the ground and was heaving with fans making their way to the game. I would appeal to anyone who has any information, or mobile phone footage of the incident to contact us urgently, as information they have could be vital to our investigation.”