A 23-year-old man sustained a broken jaw after a one-punch attack in Galway city on Saturday night.

Ronan Greaney was on his way to the shop across from his house when the incident occured.

His brother Eugene told Independent.ie that Ronan had been at the beer tent at the Galway Christmas market with his father after working six days that week.

He had returned around quarter past one in the morning before heading to the shop, where he met two men and two women between seventeen and twenty years old.

They spoke for a matter of minutes and Eugene said that Ronan "did not sense any danger" and does not remember what the conversation was about. He told Ronan that he remembers one of the girls asking for a cigarette, and then being punched from the side.

"One punch broke his jaw".

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Eugene reported that at first, he "didn't pay too much attention" to the noise outside and was just "going to tell them to keep it down".

"I (looked out) and saw two girls shouting to two lads to 'come on', to run.".

"Ronan came into my room and collapsed. It was clear straight away that his jaw was broken and his teeth were damaged. I brought him straight to the hospital".

Ronan is due to undergo surgery on his jaw today which will require two metal plates to be placed under the skin. He will have these for the rest of his life. His jaw will also have to be wired shut for six weeks.

"If you can't go over the road to get a box of cigarettes... it's sick".

"Since I've shared the story we've received an incredible amount of support and messages... we just want these guys caught, simple as".

Eugene and Ronan run a business in Galway City.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Gardai at Mill Street Garda Station.

Online Editors