An Irishman has been arrested in Spain’s Costa Blanca after he allegedly slashed the throat of another man as he urinated in the street – the victim was rushed to hospital for his injuries
A 58-year-old Irishman has been arrested on the Costa Blanca for attempted murder after allegedly slashing a fellow countryman across the neck with a Stanley knife whilst he was urinating in the street.
The shocking incident unfolded on the Orihuela Costa where local residents and tourists say they are horrified at the increase of crime in the holiday resort which is popular with Brits. The attempted murder led to a massive police hunt, with the suspect attempting to flee the area but eventually being caught.
His victim, who is also Irish, suffered a deep cut to his neck with a box cutter and had to be operated on urgently at the University Hospital of Torrevieja to save his life. The Civil Guard operation, called “Combination”, began in the early hours of June 15th but full details have only just been released.
The attack happened in a blocked street near a small shopping centre in La Zenia on the Orihuela Costa. There, after an argument, the victim was approached from behind while urinating next to an electrical transformer. The aggressor inflicted a deep cut in the neck with a cutter.
Police were able to establish the identity of the attacker after interviewing his victim. Although he had left his home days before and his whereabouts were unknown, he was found in a park in the town on June 30.
“As the suspect lacked documentation, cooperation with the Irish authorities was essential, as they facilitated the comparison of fingerprints,” said a police spokesman. “This also corroborated that the detainee had a record in Ireland for serious crimes, including homicides with a firearm and drug trafficking.”
The Irishman has been charged with the crime of attempted homicide. He has already appeared before a court which granted him bail with a restraining order on the victim.
The concern in crime rates at tourist hotspots in Spain comes as Brit tourists fled during a brawl between street vendors and the police. Shocking footage showed a scuffle between a Spanish police officer and at least two street vendors at a busy beach resort with customers fleeing as the brawl unfolded.
The vendors appeared to be hitting one officer after he ended up on the floor. In another clip, the officer’s helmet appeared to have been broken in the brawl.