Two petrol bombs amid crime spree

GARDAI in Drogheda are investigating five separate incidents, including two petrol bomb attacks.

The violent crime spree took place over a six-hour period between Thursday night and Friday morning.

They are also aware of another incident in which an 18-year-old youth was assaulted with a weapon believed to be a hatchet. The youth received a significant head injury which required hospital treatment.

Three of the six incidents took place in the Cement Road area of the town.

All took place between 11.15pm Thursday and approximately 5.20am Friday morning.

Gardai confirmed the first incident involved what appears to be a petrol bomb which was thrown at a house in the Termon Abbey area. There were no injuries in this incident but minor damage was caused to the property.

Less than 15 minutes later, at 11.29pm, gardai received reports that a man had entered a halting site in the Cement Road area allegedly carrying a firearm.

Gardai rushed to the location but nothing was found and there were no reports of injuries.

Two and a half hours later, at approximately 2am, gardai received reports of another apparent petrol bomb incident on a roadway in a residential area of Cement Road. Damage was caused to the roadway, but no injuries were reported.

A short time later, gardai received reports of a car on fire in the St Laurence’s Park area of Drogheda.

The vehicle was removed by gardai to allow a technical examination to be carried out.

Another car fire was reported in the St Laurence’s Drive area at approximately 5.20am.

That vehicle will also be technically examined.

Gardai are also aware of an apparent assault on an 18-year-old male with a hatchet in the Cement Road area of the town at around 5pm on Friday.

It is understood he was struck on the head and needed stitches.

A Garda spokesperson said no arrests have been made in relation to any of the incidents and investigations are ongoing.