The hunt was on last night for a man who beat a pregnant woman so badly that she lost her baby.
The vicious thug - who is known to the victim - disappeared after the shocking attack and gardai fear he may be trying to leave the country.
The attacker’s description has been sent to all airports and ports and the PSNI have been alerted in case he flees over the border and tries to reach the UK through the North.
A source said that man not been seen since the attack, which took place in the Dame Street area of Dublin in the early hours of last Sunday morning.
A source said: “The main suspect appears to have fled but he will find it difficult if he tries to leave the country.
“All the ports and airports have been alerted and the Police Service of Northern Ireland have also been given details and the man’s description.
“This was a particularly brutal assault as far as we are concerned he killed the baby as well.”
It is understood that the woman, who is aged in her 30s, had been homeless and was living in a tent around the Grand Canal area for some time.
Such was the severity of the assault on the heavily pregnant woman that she later miscarried.
The attack took place between 4am and 5am last Sunday in the Dame Street area.
A pregnant woman lost her baby after she was attacked in Dublin city on Sunday.
The victim was rushed to hospital and treated for serious injuries but the trauma was such that she has since lost the baby.
Gardai believe the attacker was known to the woman and a source described the attack on the pregnant woman as “sickening”.
The source said: “It was a sickening attack, one of the worst imaginable.
“She is still in hospital and has lost her baby. It’s horrific.
“We don’t believe it was a stranger attack. She would have known the attacker before.”
Gardai are appealing to the public for information and for any witnesses to this assault to come forward.
Gardaí are also appealing for any road users who were travelling in the area around the time or who have camera footage to make this footage available to Gardaí.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station on 01 666 9000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.
