Masked men carry out ‘slash hook’ ambush on teenager

A TEENAGE schoolboy was recovering in hospital last night after he was struck with what’s believed to have been a slash hook during a vicious attack by three masked men in a garage forecourt yesterday.

The incident took place at around 5pm at a filling station on the Kilrush Road in Ennis, Co. Clare. It’s understood the 15-year-old was travelling in a car with his mother when they stopped at the garage for petrol.

While the teenager was filling the car, three men, said to be wearing balaclavas, approached and attacked the boy.

The car’s back window was smashed, according to reports, while the front windshield was also damaged. The boy is understood to have been struck at least once with what is believed to have been the slash hook. It’s reported his mother was unharmed.

Gardaí arrived at the scene within minutes, while an ambulance was also called once it was clear that someone had been injured.

The teenager was removed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick with injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

One passer-by said: ‘Their faces were covered and they were even roaring and shouting at the guards when they arrived. It was very tense for a while. They chased the young lad around the forecourt for a while too. An ambulance came and the boy was taken to hospital.

‘There were a lot of guards and they got here real quick.’

Gardaí from Ennis are investigating the incident and are expected to view CCTV footage which could provide evidence of the incident and how it unfolded.

Investigating officers are understood to be following a definite line of inquiry. However, no arrests had been made last night.

Gardaí have asked anyone who was in the area of Ashline/Kilrush Road around the time of the incident to contact them at Ennis Garda station on 065 6848100.