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This is the horrifying moment a man was chased and attacked by two men in London's Trafalgar Square - before dying six months later in hospital.

Desmond O'Beirne, 51, from Westminster, was set upon by two men at 12.30am on June 3 last year and he died from his injuries after months fighting for life.

He had never regained consciousness.

Metropolitan Police detectives investigating the assault at the popular tourist spot have released CCTV footage of the incident and also offered a £20,000 reward for information which leads to a conviction.

Police fear that the fact the assault happened less than 24 hours before the London Bridge terror attack means some witnesses may not have come forward.

The footage shows Mr O'Beirne try to run away before he is punched in the head from behind and he falls to the ground.

A second attacker then kicks him in the chest before both men leave the scene. Stunned onlookers soon come to the victim's aide.

(Image: Metropolitan Police)

(Image: Metropolitan Police)

London Ambulance Service paramedics treated Desmond at the scene before taking him to hospital.

However, he died from his injuries on Wednesday, 20 December 2017.

A post-mortem examination took place on January 3 and gave the cause of death as a head injury.

A reward of £20,000 is available to anyone providing vital information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for the murder.

DCI Noel McHugh, investigating, said: “Someone might see this video and remember that they witnessed this incident; you will see a female who is clearly shocked by what has happened and holds her hands up to her face.

(Image: Metropolitan Police) (Image: Metropolitan Police)

“You may have been part of the group and did not realise how seriously Desmond was hurt and that he has now died.

"That may pray on your mind. You can contact us and help us get justice. Desmond was an inoffensive man, a big man and character, who was out having a drink.

"The CCTV shows that he was senselessly attacked and he never stood a chance.

“The events of Desmond's attack precede the London Bridge terrorists attacks which were in the following evening.

"So whilst there is a passage of time, people will remember where they were in London, and could remember this incident.

(Image: Metropolitan Police)

"I’m asking anyone who took any footage or selfies around that time in to contact us; take a look through your photos and see if you have something that can help us.”

Desmond’s sister Vivienne Folan said: "My brother Desmond was hard working and larger than life.

"He was on a night out in Trafalgar Square when he was brutally and viciously attacked by two cowards who then calmly walked away and left him for dead.

“As a direct result of this attack he suffered a traumatic brain injury and was left in a vegetative state. Desmond's life was ended far too soon and our family is left devastated by his loss.

(Image: Metropolitan Police) (Image: Metropolitan Police)

“Unfortunately for Desmond, his attack happened less than 24 hours before the London Bridge/Borough Market terrorist attacks and I feel that possible witnesses may have focused their attentions on those events.

"I am appealing to members of the public who may have been in the Trafalgar Square area on the night and witnessed this assault to come forward to the police.

“I am trying to get justice for Desmond, his two attackers were very distinctive and part of a larger group. I hope that witnesses and those from that group who did not know how serious the attack was will now come forward."

No arrests have been made.