Girl injured in 'reprehensible' Charleville incident in stable condition

Gardaí have confirmed that a 12-year-old girl, who was the victim of a “reprehensible” assault in Cork on Monday night, is now in a stable condition following surgery.

The incident occurred at a house on the New Line in Charleville at approximately 11.30pm on Monday.

It is understood that a group of five men, who were wearing balaclavas, arrived at the residence and damaged a car outside before damaging the front door of the house.

A mother and young children were inside the home, and the 12-year-old girl suffered from a suspected fractured skull and a brain bleed as a result of the incident.

Armed

It is believed the incident may be linked to a feud involving families in Cork and Limerick, with the attackers suspected of having been armed with slash hooks.

The girl, who was treated at the scene, was rushed to Cork University Hospital, before she was later transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Temple St, where she underwent surgery.

Garda Superintendent Gary McPolin, who is overseeing the investigation, said the girl was in a stable condition, adding: “The operation was quite successful.

“It looks like she’ll make a recovery, but time will tell.

“It’s heinous and reprehensible that this should happen to a young child inside the private environs of their home.”

Investigations into the attack are continuing.

It is understood that the men fled the scene in a vehicle, and gardaí are currently trying to establish the type and make of vehicle and the direction in which they travelled.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have been in the vicinity on Monday between 10.30pm and 12am to come forward.