A MAN who was left fighting for his life after he was assaulted in his York home has finally left hospital – but police fear they may never bring his attackers to justice.

Former businessman Dominic Conlan, now 57, suffered such severe head injuries when he was beaten up in his flat in March Street in The Groves in January 2011, police launched an attempted murder investigation.

After more than a year in Leeds General Infirmary, Mr Conlan has now been released and is receiving rehabilitation treatment. But although police think they know what happened, Mr Conlan cannot remember anything from the night, and officers have been forced to drop charges against all 12 people they had arrested due to a lack of evidence.

Det Chief Insp Nigel Costello, who is leading the investigation, said: “Officers investigating the serious assault on Dominic Conlan believe they know what happened on the night he was attacked in his own home.

“We have received some very good information through Crimestoppers and we know there are people out there who know what happened to Dominic and know who was responsible for injuring him so badly.”

He said despite the length of time since the assault, the investigation remained open.

“I would urge anyone who can help us establish who attacked Dominic to come forward,” he said.

He said police were not currently pursuing any “active” lines of inquiry.

Mr Conlan suffered several blows to his head and body in the attack, resulting in fractures to his face and skull, and spent six weeks in a coma after the incident.

The attempted murder sparked a massive police investigation with pedestrians and motorists in the local community quizzed and forensic examinations conducted at Mr Conlan’s flat.

Mr Conlan had been a successful businessman until ill-health forced him to abandon his career.

He worked for many years in telecommunications in various countries, including America, where he lived after marrying an American woman.

After returning to the UK and after his divorce, he settled in York where he suffered health problems.

In the weeks following the attack, Mr Conlan’s brother, Martin Conlan, described him as a “good man, a loving and caring brother and a trusting and generous friend”. Anyone with any information about the incident should phone police on 101.