Homeless man’s throat slashed in knife attack

A HOMELESS man was fighting for his life last night after his throat was slashed in a lunchtime knife attack.

Gardaí yesterday arrested three men and a woman in connection with the attack.

The 50-year-old, who lives in a shelter for homeless men, was attacked shortly before lunchtime at the rear of Waterford city centre’s City Square Shopping Centre.

The man sustained injuries to his neck and head. Witnesses said he staggered down the street and collapsed.

Gardaí sealed off the area where the incident took place.

The man was stabbed at the top of Olaf Street and staggered about 100 yards down an incline towards the junction of Kaiser Street and High Street, leaving behind a trail of blood.

He fell to the ground against a white van, also covering the side of the vehicle in his blood.

The scene was immediately sealed off, as were several pedestrianised streets in the area.

Gardaí combed the area for the weapon.

Later yesterday afternoon, three men and a woman were arrested and were taken to Waterford Garda Station.

Their arrest came just before 4pm. They were held for questioning in relation to the attack under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The Olaf Street area, an old part of the city with narrow streets, is frequented by homeless people.

The victim of the attack, who is not from Waterford city, would be seen there on most days, according to locals. He sat in a doorway throughout most of the day.

Garda Superintendent Dave Sheahan appealed for witnesses.

His officers were still searching the area last night for the weapon used in the attack.

“We believe the incident occurred around 12.40pm. It is very hard to say at this early point exactly what happened. But we would appeal to anyone who saw anything to come forward and speak to us,” he said.

Lunchtime shoppers and those who worked in the area were stunned by what had happened.

One youth who witnessed the attack was speaking to gardaí as they sealed off the area just before 1pm.

The victim of the attack was in a serious condition at Waterford Regional Hospital last night, where he was being treated for head and neck wounds as well as significant blood loss.

Gardaí investigating the serious knife attack appealed for witnesses to contact them on [phone].