Man arrested after attack leaves victim fighting for his life

A man was arrested in connection with a serious assault which has left a man fighting for his life.

The 46-year-old victim was discovered lying on Tyrconnell Rd, Inchicore, in Dublin’s south inner city at 9.25pm on Thursday.

He suffered serious head injuries and was taken to nearby St James’s Hospital, where his condition was described as “critical”.

Yesterday, detectives attached to Kilmainham Garda Station arrested a man in his 30s in connection with the assault.

He is being questioned under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which allows his detention for up to 24 hours.

Gardaí are, in particular, looking to speak to a taxi driver who picked up a male on Tyrconnell Rd at 9.20pm near Goldenbridge Industrial Estate. The taxi driver was driving what is believed to be a light-coloured Skoda Octavia (new model). The taxi then drove the man in the direction of the canal.

Gardaí are also appealing for witnesses who were in the area at the time to get in contact.

Meanwhile, in separate investigations in Wexford, gardaí are looking into two aggravated burglaries, in which the homes of two elderly women were targeted.

In the first incident a number of masked men, believed to be three, entered the home of an elderly woman who lives alone in Ramsgrange, Co Wexford, shortly after 3am. They searched the house and stole a small amount of property. No injuries were sustained.

In the second incident masked men, believed to be four, entered the house of another elderly woman living alone at Fethard-on-Sea. They took the keys to her car which was later found burnt out. A small amount of property was also stolen. No physical injuries were sustained.

Anyone with information is asked to contact gardaí at any station.

Dog's praise

Customs sniffer dog Ralph was praised for the seizure of 10.25kg of heroin, worth €1.54m, at Rosslare Europort yesterday.

Ralph gave a positive reaction to a vehicle that had disembarked a ferry from France. A Mercedes 4x4 was scanned by the Customs X-Ray Scanner, which indicated an anomaly, and the drugs were found concealed in the vehicle.

A Dutch man national in his 60s was arrested and taken to Wexford Garda Station.

Meanwhile, a man arrested in Spain after the seizure of more than 500kg of cocaine, worth €153m, is thought to be from Northern Ireland. Responding to reports an Irishman, named only as Kenneth C, was arrested, Garda sources indicated he may be from the North.