A ten-year-old boy and two women suffered serious stab injuries after a burglary in a Cork home on Monday night.
One of the women is believed to be fighting for her life after her condition worsened last night.
A third woman, aged 18, had minor injuries at the house in the Glanmire Road area of Mayfield, Cork at around 11pm.
A man in his 50s was arrested by gardai in connection with the incident that left the boy and two women needing emergency hospital treatment.
The man was arrested in Cork city after gardai were alerted to an incident in the north-eastern area of the city at a property close by.
The two women aged in their 30s and 40s and the child were treated by paramdics at the scene for stab injuries.
They were all in a distressed condition and were taken to Cork University Hospital.
The injuries are thought to be serious but not life threatening.
At least one of them may need further surgery.
The arrested man is currently detained at Mayfield Garda Station and gardai say investigations are continuing.
A garda spokesman said: "Gardaí are investigating an aggravated burglary that occurred at house in the Glanmire Road area of Mayfield, Cork, on 23/12/19 at approximately 11pm.
"Two women aged in their 20s and 40s, and a male child aged 10 received apparent stab wounds.
"They have all been taken to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries.
"An 18 year old woman received minor injuries.
"Gardaí assisted by members of the Regional Support Unit have arrested a man in his 50s in relation to this incident.
"He is currently detained at Mayfield Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
"Investigations are continuing."
