A MAN in his 20 was charged before Limerick District Court this Wednesday in connection with an assault that left Limerick-based hip hop artist Tobi Omoteso blinded in one eye.
Mr Omoteso, who is a director of the TOP 8 street dance company in Limerick, said he was injured and his car damaged during an alleged road rage incident at Old Cratloe Road on March 28 last.
A GoFundMe page established on behalf of Mr Omoteso has raised almost all of its target of €80,000.
An updated statement on the account page said: “We want to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone who has donated, shared, and sent messages of support. Your kindness and compassion have meant more than words can express.”
“We set up this GoFundMe as Tobi lost his eyesight in his left eye,” the updat read.
“The impact has been profound — not only physically, but emotionally and financially — and the road ahead is long.
“The funds you have so generously contributed will support ongoing living, medical, and support costs as Tobi adjusts to life with sight loss.
“The support is a true testimony to the impact Tobi has had on people around Ireland and the world.”
Mr Omoteso was due to have his third scheduled surgery for his eye injury this month.
“Please continue to keep Tobi in your thoughts and prayers,” concluded the statement.
Gardaí said that a man in his 20s was arrested on Tuesday “as part of investigations into an incident of serious assault that occurred on Old Cratloe Road, Limerick City on 28th March 2026”.
Gardaí said the detained man was later charged and “due to appear in front of the Limerick District Court” on Wednesday.
Speaking after the alleged attack, Mr Omoteso said “the world went dark” after shards of glass entered his eyes during the alleged assault.
“The damage is not just physical, it is permanent. My iris was sliced in half and had to be meticulously stitched back together,” said Mr Omoteso who also works at Limerick Youth Service.
Mr Omoteso, whose family emigrated to Ireland from Nigeria in the 1990s after his father began working here as a surgeon, had carved out a career in music, dance, and youth community service.
The alleged assault occurred a Mr Omoteso was transporting equipment for the fifth edition of his hip-hop and street-dance community festival which he co-founded 12 years ago.
“It was a day meant for music, DJ, street-dance, movement, graffiti, art, unity and having fun for all regardless of race, religion, gender, age and ability. Instead, it became the end of life as I knew it,” he said.
The Limerick-based father of one said he was facing “a long, agonising road of surgeries just to cling to a fraction of the vision I once took for granted”.
“Even if every single surgery is a success, I will never see the world clearly again, which ultimately affects my job, work, dance, social interaction and confidence.”