Men Arrested Following Two Violent Incidents In Athlone

Three men have been arrested in connection with violent incidents in Athlone, Westmeath on Tuesday.

In the first incident, a taxi driver, aged in his 70s, was attacked by two male passengers he had picked up on Church Street and driven to Bloomfield Drive. The driver suffered a number of stab wounds during the incident. The two males fled the scene on foot with a small amount of cash. The injured man was taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and has since been discharged.

Later, at approximately 17.45, three youths armed with a firearm and an iron bar entered a shop on Ballymahon Road. They threatened and assaulted the shop keeper, a male aged in his 70s, before leaving the scene on foot empty handed. The injured man was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where he was treated for head injuries. He was later discharged.

During a follow up operation on Wednesday, Gardaí arrested three males aged in their late teens. All three are currently being held in Athlone Garda Station. Two of the males are detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, while the third is detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to contact Athlone Garda Station on 090-6498550 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

(MH/JP)