Man Dies Six Months After Brutal Trafalgar Square Attack
A murder probe is underway after a Westminster man died from injuries sustained in a savage assault outside the National Gallery.
Desmond O’Beirne Attacked in Central London
Desmond O’Beirne, 51, was set upon by two men near Trafalgar Square at around 12:25am on Saturday, 3 June 2017. The victim was treated by London Ambulance Service on site before being rushed to hospital.
Tragically, Desmond passed away from a serious head injury on Wednesday, 20 December, more than six months after the attack.
Police Hunt Two Distinctive Suspects
Detectives from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, led by Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, are chasing leads and have released CCTV images of two suspects.
- Suspect 1: Sporting a top knot hairstyle, full beard, red t-shirt, dark trousers, and light-coloured shoes. He was caught on camera punching the back of Desmond’s head.
- Suspect 2: Wearing a black jacket with a white emblem on the right shoulder and white writing with a picture on the back, a white top underneath, dark trousers, and dark shoes with white soles. He kicked Desmond after he collapsed.
“These two men will have told friends and partners about their mindless attack,” said DCI McHugh. “I want you to call us with their names. They are distinctive and will be known to the group that evening. Desmond never regained consciousness after the brutal attack. It is vital we bring his attackers to justice.”
How You Can Help Catch Desmond’s Killers
Police urge anyone who witnessed the attack or was in the area to come forward—especially if you have photos or video evidence.
Contact the incident room on 020 8785 8099. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.
