Dublin shopkeeper f ighting for life after hammer attack by masked men

A SHOPKEEPER is in a critical condition after he was hit on the head with a hammer during an attempted robbery.

The terrifying incident happened yesterday morning when two men wearing scarves to cover their faces barged into his shop in Glasnevin in north Dublin.

Kevin Tansey received serious head injuries when he was struck with a hammer and was rushed to Beaumont Hospital. It is understood he suffered a fractured skull and bleeding to the brain. He was critically ill last night.

The two raiders left the shop with nothing and fled in a white Honda Civic. The car was later found burnt out in Finglas.

Tansey’s Newsagent’s is a well-known shop on the Fitzmaurice Road in Ballygall. Tributes were being shared online yesterday. One read: ‘Kevin is a gentleman. I hope he has a good recovery.’

Mr Tansey, who runs the newsagent’s with his father Pádraig, was alone in the shop when two thugs entered at 8.15am yesterday.

A source said: ‘This is a very frightening attack. It happened not long after Kevin opened the shop at 7.30am as he does every Saturday morning.’

A Garda spokesman said: ‘A shop assistant suffered a suspected fractured skull during an attempted robbery of a newsagent’s.’

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area between 8am and 8.20am, or who has information, to contact them on (01) 666 7500 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.