Tourist abandons holiday following vicious assault

An American tourist staying in Crossmaglen was forced to cut short his holiday and return home after he became the victim of a vicious assault in the town.

Robert Ciulla, from Florida, had just arrived in Crossmaglen on Wednesday to begin a week-long stay in the town, on the recommendation of previous visitors to the area.  Prior to his arrival, Mr Ciulla had made contact with staff at the Cross Square Hotel who had helped him put together an extensive itinerary for his stay.  Unfortunately this stay was much shorter than he had anticipated after he was set upon by two youths in a totally unprovoked attack just a few hours after he arrived.

Vicious assault

While enjoying a drink in one of the bars in the area of The Square, Mr Ciulla was targeted by two youths who began verbally abusing and intimidating him.  

Although the owner of the establishment reprimanded the youths for their behaviour, Mr Ciulla thought it best to leave and he made his way to another licensed premises close by.  It was shortly after he arrived in this bar that the two youths in question entered and immediately began assaulting him.  The victim suffered cuts and abrasions to his face and body and swelling to one side of his head where he was beaten repeatedly.  He also sustained an injury to his leg during the attack.

Witnesses to the assault intercepted the youths who were forcibly removed from the bar and fled the scene shortly afterwards.  The victim then made his way back to his hotel where staff offered him assistance and contacted police on his behalf.  Shocked, shaken and in a great deal of pain, Mr Ciulla felt he could not continue with his holiday and soon afterwards he left the town in a taxi for the airport and returned to the United States, less than 24 hours after arriving.

Condemnation

This abhorrent attack has been condemned by politicians, business owners and residents who are horrified and angry that a visitor to the area should become the victim of such a violent and unprovoked attack. 

Fiona Kierans from the Cross Square Hotel is incensed that a hotel guest was attacked during his stay.  She explained that, at Mr Ciulla’s request, she had put together a full programme of activities that he was to experience during his holiday, including a fishing trip with a local experienced fisherman, which he, as a keen angler, was looking forward to immensely.  So appreciative was Mr Ciulla of the hotel’s help with organising his stay that he presented gifts to members of staff as soon as he arrived.  Ms Kierans offered sincere apologies to Mr Ciulla on behalf of the community, pointing out that it was an isolated incident and in no way reflected the conduct of the wider Crossmaglen and south Armagh community.

Sinn Fein councillor Terry Hearty strongly condemned the attack and described those responsible as “thugs and hooligans” who have nothing to offer the community and are undermining the excellent work being carried out in the area to promote tourism and welcome visitors to the town.

“There are a lot of people working together to actively promote tourism and many people, along with Newry and Mourne Council, have invested heavily in promoting the area to visitors,” Mr Hearty said.

He explained that many times he has met with American visitors to the area who have all thoroughly enjoyed their stay and made many favourable comments regarding Crossmaglen and south Armagh. He hopes that this isolated incident will not have a detrimental effect on the opinion of any potential future visitors to Crossmaglen.

“So much good work has already been done to promote tourism to this area and I hope it has not been destroyed by the actions of these bullies and thugs,” he said.

Mr Hearty said that he intends to make contact with the gentleman to invite him back to the area and assure him that this unfortunate incident is not reflective of how visitors to Crossmaglen are treated.

SDLP Councillor Geraldine Donnelly said the incident was contrary to everything that had been done in recent times to promote the good name of Crossmaglen as a tourist and commercial centre.

“I thought that this kind of behaviour belonged to an age that was over and gone.  I feel very sorry for our American visitor who was treated so terribly and am grateful for all those locals, especially the owners and staff of the hotel and others who did their best to help him and let him know that they were totally against such thuggishness.”

Police investigation

In relation to the incident, the PSNI issued the following statement: “Police in Crossmaglen are investigating allegations of an assault at a licensed premises in the Cardinal O’Fiaich Square shortly after 10pm on Wednesday evening.  It is alleged that two men attacked a 46-year-old American tourist.  The tourist has returned to the USA, however enquiries are continuing.”

As part of the investigation, police are examining CCTV footage, which was obtained from the premises and it is believed it may confirm the identities of the assailants.

“deeply touched”

When contacted by The Examiner, Mr Ciulla said he was deeply touched by the concern and support he received from the locals.  Referring to the assault, he said, “I’ve little to say regarding the two young men in question, other than that a pair of bad apples can be found anywhere and are not exclusive to Crossmaglen.  I’m confident that the local wheels of justice will run their proper course and in no way do I consider these youths any sort of representation of the town or its good residents.”

He paid tribute to the kind people he encountered during his stay, particularly singling out the staff of the Cross Square Hotel and of The Cartwheel Bar.

“These warm people opened their arms to me and I’ve never made so many friends in such a short time. The town was beautiful and has so much to offer but, without question, the most valuable resource is its people,” he said.

Mr Ciulla added that he fully intends to return and fulfill his “dream Irish vacation” once his injuries have healed and he can arrange a suitable time.

Remarking on making headlines in the local paper, Mr Ciulla quipped, “I would have preferred making the local news for landing a trophy salmon, rather than catching a few sucker punches!”