The knife attack on a 93-year-old man as he worked in his greenhouse has been described as “absolutely appalling”.
The pensioner was stabbed three times in the abdomen at his home in Blackrock, Co Louth, on Saturday.
A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with the incident.
It’s understood the victim went to get a glass of water for the assailant when he was attacked.
Dundalk Joint Policing Committee chairman Sean Kelly said: “It is so scary this could happen at 3pm. My thoughts are with his family and I wish him a speedy recovery. Hopefully those responsible will be bought to justice.”
The injured man, who lives in the house with his wife, was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.
He underwent emergency surgery and was yesterday said to be in a stable condition. It is the second time in recent months that the elderly have been the victims of crime in the village.
Fine Gael Councillor Maria Doyle said more gardai are needed. She added: “Blackrock has grown in recent years and is growing. There are planning applications for more new homes and the number of gardai is not growing in line with that.”
Gardai urged anyone who was in Sandy Lane or the Community Centre between 2pm and 3pm to call them.
