Irish Olympian attacked on Dublin street by gang of 12, leaving him needing surgery

Ireland’s first-ever taekwondo representative in an Olympics was a victim of an unprovoked attack in Dublin, leaving him drenched in blood and needing surgery.

Jack Woolley, who was eliminated in the first round of the 58kg division at Tokyo 2020, was involved in an incident that took place in the early hours of Saturday morning along the River Liffey, which runs through the centre of the city.

In an Instagram post, the 22-year-old bisexual athlete wrote that he was heading to a bar when “a gang of roughy 8-12 men and women in their 20s began violently attacking people along the boardwalk”.

Woolley explained: “I was victim to these random attacks as I was just walking by I was punched in the face by one of these group members.” He added: “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.”

Fortunately, Woolley was able to stay safe from there and phoned an ambulance. He was then taken to St James’s Hospital where he underwent surgery to tend to his wounds. “Thank you all again for the support and kind messages. I hope for a speedy recovery. It’s been a tough couple of months,” Woolley concluded the post.

Woolley had his photo taken on the bridge just minutes before the attack and joked: “I was looking well and all.”

Jack Woolley/ Instagram

Woolley confirmed via his Instagram Stories that his surgery was a success and that he is now back at home. Many have sent their thoughts and best wishes to Woolley following the attack. Ireland’s boxing gold medallist Kellie Harrington wrote: “I’m so angry reading this. I am absolutely heartbroken for you…if I could give you the biggest hug right now I would.”

In a Facebook post, South Dublin Taekwondo, Woolley’s team, condemned the attack, writing: “SDTKD is wholeheartedly appalled at the attack and our thoughts are with Jack, his family and friends at this time. Jack will receive the full support and care of everyone at the club.”

Speaking to Brendan O’Connor on RTÉ Radio One, Woolley’s mother Annette, called the pictures of her son covered in blood “shocking” but it wasn’t until the next morning that she” realised how bad it was.”

Ms Woolley also clarified that despite her son being a taekwondo fighter he chose not to fight back. She added: “It all happened in a split second, but as soon as he registered what had happened, the initial shock of it happening - he said it flashed through his head: ‘Do I fight back and defend myself, do I not?”

In a statement to Indy100, a spokesperson from the Irish police service said: “Gardaí attended the scene of an assault that occurred on Grattan Bridge, Dublin at approximately 12:40 am 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.”