April 14, 2004 – A Frenchtown restaurant owner was reported to be recovering in Roy L. Schneider Hospital on Wednesday from injuries sustained in a machete attack early Tuesday as he was preparing to open the establishment.
Joe Durcan, owner of Frenchtown Deli, was about to open the back entrance to the shop shortly before 5 a.m. when he was attacked. Durcan said later that he did not see his assailant, according to a business associate, who asked not to be identified.
A fisherman in the area heard the commotion and called police.
Durcan was hospitalized with a broken arm and several deep wounds to the arm, his associate said. The assault was apparently not a robbery attempt, the source said.
The Deli remained closed on Tuesday, but opened for business at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday. The regular early morning customers all expressed shock and concern about Durcan. One shook his head, saying,"I guess violence has come to Frenchtown."

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