A 23-YEAR-OLD man who was attacked by masked men at a Waterford city apartment in the early hours of yesterday was last night said to be “critical but stable”.
The man was attacked by two men wearing balaclavas at an apartment in Rockshire Court in the city around 2.30am, said a Garda spokesman.
The victim received serious injuries, in particular to one arm, with what gardaí believe to be a machete and other implements.
The man was taken to Waterford Regional Hospital before being moved to Cork University Hospital. A source close to the investigation last night said he was “due to undergo emergency surgery” in an attempt to save his hand.
A HSE South spokeswoman said: “The man was transferred to Cork University Hospital – his condition is critical but stable.”
A blue Toyota Carina car, was found burnt out at Carigeen, near the Royal Oak pub in Mooncoin, Co Kilkenny, shortly after the attack.
Gardaí in Waterford are investigating whether the car was used as a getaway vehicle by the victim’s attackers.
A separate Garda source said that one line of investigation relates to the possibility that the attack is connected to a feud between Travellers, which arose in the city last year.
However, no arrests have yet been made in relation to the attack.
When the injured man’s condition was described as critical, fears were expressed that he would die. However, his condition stabilised following emergency treatment in hospital, it later emerged.
Anyone with information can contact gardaí in Waterford on 051-305300.
