Tributes paid to man who died after Dublin assault

Tributes have been paid to a man who died following a serious assault in Mulhuddart in Dublin on Friday.

Anthony Long, who was in his 40s, was attacked in the Parslickstown Drive area at around 3.55am on Friday.

He was taken to hospital where he died.

His niece and goddaughter Nikita O'Callaghan Long said the family were "truly devastated".

"He didn’t deserve to go like this, he had the biggest heart," Ms O'Callaghan Long said.

"He was the easiest going person," she said, "he had the brightest and most contagious smile."

"He’s a big big loss to our family and we’re all in such a state of shock that he went like this," Ms O'Callaghan Long said.

She said that he came from a big family and was one of 12 siblings.

Ms O’Callaghan Long said her uncle was attacked outside his late father's home, and that tomorrow marks the anniversary of his death.

Another relative, Ray Crawford, said that Mr Long was "a gentle soul".

"He would do anything for anyone, stranger or family, didn’t matter to him," he said.

"He never deserved to be attacked like that.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with video footage and who was in the Parslickstown area between 3am and 4.30am on Friday 3 July, to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.