Boy stabbed after leaving school

A 16-year-old schoolboy was last night in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed in what gardaí said was an unprovoked attack on him as he walked home from school.

The student was walking through Drogheda town with four other friends from a secondary school in the area, when they were confronted by a man.

The man, who appeared intoxicated, produced a knife and moved towards the group, ultimately stabbing the boy.

It is thought he was wounded in the torso and sustained internal injuries.

The incident happened close to the Whitworth Hall on Laurence St in Drogheda at about 4.15pm.

Gardaí were quickly on the scene as a witness phoned Drogheda Garda Station.

Last night Garda Superintendent Gerry Smith, Drogheda, said a man in his 20s had been arrested and a weapon was found. He said while the teenager’s condition was not life-threatening, it was “serious”.

The man remains in garda custody this morning and a file will be prepared for the DPP.