Dancing with the Stars finalist Jack Woolley has said he is considering meeting with top garda chiefs after he was viciously assaulted in Dublin city centre.
In 2021, the Taekwondo Olympian was brutally assaulted by thugs and left with a severe lip wound after he was jumped while on a night out in the city centre.
But despite their best efforts, Gardai said in a statement that they are "unable to progress" the investigation into Jack’s vicious assault because CCTV couldn’t identify any "evidential assistance".
Reacting to An Garda Siochana’s response, Jack said he was "disappointed".
He told us: "That is disappointing to hear that there should be more done about it, especially like it's not just me. I think it was only, unfortunately, in the media because of who I was in my two weeks prior to being at the Olympics.
"But, you know, it's happened to many people since then, and it's an ongoing thing in the city centre and obviously things need to be done about it. Hopefully, they do keep working towards getting things sorted and making Dublin city centre safe.
"But then again, it's not even just Dublin, it’s nationwide. It’s a little bit disappointing to hear that, but hopefully there's a way forward."
In the statement, Gardai said that if Jack was unhappy with the outcome that he could arrange to meet with the Superintendent at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin.
"An Garda Siochana is not in a position to discuss specific interactions involving individual members of the public.
"However, if any person is not satisfied with their engagement with An Garda Siochana they are encouraged to highlight their experience either, in this case, to the Superintendent at Store Street Garda station or with GSOC to ensure this engagement can be thoroughly examined."
Jack said he will consider meeting the Superintendent about his case.
"Yeah, I think that'd be definitely something I want to look into, especially because over the last couple of years since the assault, I've kind of tried to put it to the back of my mind and deal with the trauma and obviously, there's a physical scar there that kind of reminds me of it.
"But other than that, I've not talked too much about it. It's only when people ask me questions about it, but it's something I would have to think about and see the positives and the negatives of doing that, the pros and cons, but it's something that I could look into."
Jack said he’s received no communication from Gardai since he spoke about his disappointment over the handling of their case last week – but he said fans have praised his partner Dave for wanting to be a guard.
"I've not had any communication since. There's been a good reception of people kind of saying 'fair play to Dave', especially with what happened to me, and just say how brave he is and stuff like that.
"But that's the only response I've got. I've had no official feedback from anybody," he said.
Jack was speaking just days before he takes to the dancefloor for the final time on Dancing with the Stars with his pro dance partner Alex Vladimirov.
The pair will throw it back to week five with their Dedicated Dance to Jack’s friend Kellie Harrington.
Their American Smooth to Grace by The Wolfe Tones was a stand-out moment for the couple and one that scored them their first tens of the season.
He said: "And in dedication, we got to dedicate it to Kellie Harrington, which was an amazing moment, but now I'm going to dedicate it to Alex.
"You know, for all the hard work we've put in, because it's been a very, very meaningful dance for the both of us and to go out with a bang this weekend to be just really special.
"It was quite early on in the season as well, it was week five, so it was before we started to get really top marks. So I just want to show the progress as well, like, take the judges' comments from the dance on board but also I know that everybody at home loved it.
"We got a huge response from people, and it was just such an honour to dance to that song as well, because it does mean so much to me, as much as Kellie is a big role model for me, it was nice to dedicate to her.
"But the song itself resonates with me as a person as well and with my family so it would be absolutely incredible to go out on such a high now.
"I can't wait to go out there and I hope everybody really enjoys Grace again. But our show dance is going to be epic, and I hope everybody loves that," he added.
Jack and Alex will be supported by Jack’s parents, his boyfriend Dave and his best friend in the audience.
The Olympian had previously joked that if he wins the final he will propose to Dave on the dancefloor.
"It could be a possibility. Who knows? Yeah, honestly, who knows? But I know what he is like. He could have something up the sleeve.
"You never know, because my plan was actually to do it in Paris, if I got a medal the day after on the champions walk to do it with Dave, but unfortunately, that didn't happen.
"So who knows? But whether I want to spoil a special moment for myself and Alex by doing that, making it all about me, I don't think that that's the best thing possible. But you know, you could be seeing it in the media sooner than you think," he said.
Dancing with the Stars the grand final airs this Sunday at 6.30pm on RTE One
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