Locals shocked at vicious attack on couple

FAMILIES were left shocked and disturbed after a robbery and “vicious” knife attack on a young couple in Athlone yesterday.

The young pair were set upon by two men in the early hours of New Year’s Eve, at their home at the Roslevin Lawns estate in the Westmeath town.

The male victim, in his 20s, received a number of slashes and cuts to different parts of his body and he and his teenage female partner, were recovering in hospital last night.

Their ordeal began at 12.25am yesterday morning, when they were tied up. Both were set upon by two men, in their 20s, at the home in what one local garda source described as a “vicious” attack.

The men then robbed items from the home and couple, believed to be cash and other belongings.

Gardaí were alerted after the couple reached medical help and immediately began a search for the attackers.

Two hours later, two men, described as local teenagers, were arrested and brought to Athlone Garda Station.

Residents of the town were stunned by the violent attack yesterday ahead of New Year’s celebrations.

Fianna Fáil councillor Kevin Moran described how news of the assault was spreading around town.

“There’s never been trouble there at that estate before. It’s the first of its kind. The people are very upset over it,” explained the local politician.

Gardaí are investigating the use of knives in the attack on the couple. But local officers also believe assaults were possibly carried out with “other instruments”, explained one source.

The couple, who were treated at Portiuncula Hospital and later released, were “traumatised, sore and injured,” a source added.

Gardaí sealed off the house in the estate yesterday as officers pieced together the violent movements at the home from early morning.

There were unconfirmed reports that gardaí seized Stanley knives after the attack and that the couple’s mobile phones had also been stolen.

Locals reported the two men and couple had known each other and the assault and robbery had occurred after a row had broken out.

The male victim is believed to be from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, while the female was described as a local.

It is thought they were renting the home in the quiet estate.

Gardaí can hold and question the two men arrested over the attack for a maximum of two days.