Mark McGovern Attack: DA Seeking Witnesses in 2011 Gaelic Football Fracas

By Jeff Sandstoe Mon., Jun. 25 2012 at 4:16 PM

Categories: Crime, Law & Order

Mark McGovern

It's been nearly a year since Mark McGovern, the Gaelic Football player who came from Ireland to play ball here, was critically beaten during a game, and authorities have yet to file charges against the main suspect.

Patrick Power was detained shortly after McGovern was knocked to the ground during a Gaelic Football match hosted by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) last year. Power allegedly instigated the fight that put McGovern in a coma for more than five weeks. McGovern, who came to San Francisco to play with the Ulster Club this summer, fell to the ground and began having seizures -- yet he had been nowhere near the ball when he collapsed. Witnesses of the July 25 incident allegedly heard Power saying "you won't get up from that."

Power, a Half Moon Bay resident, was suspended from the from the GAA for a reported 96 weeks, despite the fact that he was released and no criminal charges were filed against him. Part of the problem, the DA explains, is that nobody actually saw Power knock McGovern to the ground.

The DA's office is looking for anyone who was at the game that day and possibly witnessed the incident, hoping they will tell officials what they saw.

"We have reached the 1-year anniversary of this tragic incident," said Stephanie Ong Stillman, spokeswoman for the DA. "We can only begin to understand what a tough, and arduous, rehabilitation process has been for Mr. McGovern. Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he continues to get better."

The DA's office isn't giving up, noting that it still has a few years left to prosecute someone connected to the accident.

"We encourage anyone with information to please come forward and contact the San Francisco Police Department," said Ong Stillman.