A CONSTRUCTION worker has died after being severely beaten in a road rage attack in the Republic of Ireland.

Raymond Bates, from Dinting Close, in Peterlee, east Durham, died in hospital on Thursday evening after being beaten about the head with a hurley stick during a row with another driver in Dublin.

The 49-year-old, thought to have been living and working as a contractor in the Irish capital for several months, was injured on Sunday night, but was able to leave the scene.

However, Mr Bates felt unwell the next day and went to hospital, where he slipped into a coma and died three days later – making the case the first fatal road rage incident in Irish history.

A post-mortem examination was due to be carried out yesterday.

Garda detectives are trying to trace passengers on a bus who may have witnessed the incident. They are also speaking to a witness who came forward.

Mr Bates, a married father- of-three, was driving in Dublin just before 7.30pm on Sunday when he became involved in an incident at traffic lights in the Sandymount area of the city.

During the attack, he was hit over the head several times with a hurley, before both drivers left the scene.

A passer-by reported the assault to the Garda.

The following day, Mr Bates went to St Vincent’s Hospital, in the city, but slipped into a coma. He was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where he died.

Detectives have carried out door-to-door inquiries in the area and believe that a number of passengers on board a bus, which was following one of the cars, may have witnessed the attack.

Mr Bates’ family have been informed and his wife, Brenda, a former shopworker now thought to be working as a childminder, has flown to Ireland where arrangements are being made to bring his body home.

Neighbours in the cul-desac where the couple lived said they were shocked by the tragedy.

A family friend, who did not wish to be named, said: “Ray was a happy-go-lucky kind of man.”

A neighbour said: “Brenda is a lovely woman, very chatty and friendly. I never saw much of Raymond, but they are a nice family.”