Bosses baffled by acid attack on dad-of-two

Acid attack victim Sylvester Wnukowicz in St James Hospital. Collect pic by Pic Steve Humphreys 5th February 2013.

Cormac Murphy

THE EMPLOYERS of a truck driver who had acid thrown over him outside his home have been left baffled by the attack.

There are fears that Polish dad-of-two Sylvester Wnukowicz (33) could lose his sight as a result of the assault which badly burned his skin.

His colleagues at Master Link Logistics in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15, where Mr Wnukowicz works as a driver, have been shocked and upset by the incident.

"He is a really nice guy. He is a big softie. He has never had an argument," transport supervisor Richie Fay said.

Burnt

Mr Wnukowicz was having a cigarette at the door of his home in Tyrrellstown, Dublin, shortly after 6am on Monday when he was approached.

His housemate Dave Ramsay was the first person on the scene and said a man in his 30s or 40s, who looked Asian, had walked towards Mr Wnukowicz and threw acid at him.

He said: "He was in the sitting room waving his arms in the air saying "someone threw acid in my face". There was blood coming out of his eyes.

"Sylvester has no sight at the moment and his eyelashes were burnt off. His face is swollen and he can't even open his eyes."

Gardai believe that the liquid was not car battery acid and more likely a substance that could be bought at a DIY store.

Mr Wnukowicz is now in an induced coma in the intensive care unit at St James Hospital.

hnews@herald.ie