Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has said he is shocked by Tuesday’s “horrific” attack on a woman in Clondalkin, which took place just hours after another woman was seriously injured in an axe attack in Leixlip, Co Kildare.
Detectives say they believe a 43-year-old woman who suffered serious burns to her face and body when she was set on fire as she answered her front door may not have been the primary target of the attack. The victim is in hospital where she remains in a critical condition. It is understood that petrol or another accelerant was poured on her during the attack which happened at approximately 10:10am yesterday.
The incident happened in Oak Downes, Clondalkin in west Dublin, with Gardaí of the belief that the attack was carried out by a local drugs gang. The woman’s partner (49) was also injured as he attempted to put out the flames.
There have been no arrests so far, as detectives scour through CCTV from the area.
Taking to X, Jim O’Callaghan TD wrote: “I am shocked by this morning’s horrific attack on a woman in Clondalkin, I have been briefed on the attack by the Gardai, and I join them in appealing to anyone with information to come forward so that the perpetrator of this vicious attack can be brought to justice.”
The suspect in the attack is said to have escaped on a high-powered electric bike.
Prior to the attack, which took place at 10am on Tuesday, Gardai had received a report on Monday night that three men armed with knives were outside the house.
The Irish Independent reports that the woman’s partner could have been the intended target of the attack, and that he had previously been the subject of credible death threats, having recently been released from Wheatfield Prison.
It is understood that the couple are known to Gardaí.
Anyone with information has been urged to contact Clondalkin Garda Station on (01) 666 7600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
The attack happened just hours after another woman was seriously injured in another attack in Leixlip in Co Kildare on Monday after a man, believed to be her former partner, attacked her with an axe in her home. He is believed to also have set the property on fire.
The attack took place at a property on Oaklawn West early on Monday morning.
The man left the scene and his body was later recovered from a reservoir in Leixlip, with Gardaí not suspecting foul play in relation to his death.
The woman remains in hospital with serious injuries. Both the victim and the attacker are understood to be aged in their 50s.
A garda spokesperson said: “Gardaí and emergency services attended at an incident at a house in Oaklawn West and a residential fire was extinguished.
“A female (aged in her 50s) was treated by emergency services and conveyed to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown for treatment of serious injuries.
“The scene is being preserved for a technical examination.”