Further arrests over attacks on elderly athlone workers

Gardaí have made further arrests in connection with two attacks on elderly workers in Athlone on Tuesday.

A male aged in his teens was arrested on Wednesday night, while a second male, also in his teens, was arrested in the early hours of this morning. They were both conveyed to Athlone Garda Station and are detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939.

Of the three teens previously arrested during the investigation, one has been released without charge. The two other teenagers remain in Garda custody.

The arrests follow an attack on a taxi driver and a shopkeeper in Athlone on Tuesday. At around 1.30am a male taxi driver, aged in his 70’s, picked up two males on Church Street and drove to Bloomfield Drive where he was threatened and assaulted by his passengers. He sustained a number of stab wounds during the incident. The two males fled scene on foot with a small amount of cash. The injured man was taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and has since been discharged.

Later that day, at around 5.45pm three youths armed with a firearm and an iron bar entered a shop on Ballymahon Road. They threatened and assaulted the shopkeeper, a male aged in his 70s, before leaving the scene on foot empty handed. The injured man was taken to Portiuncula Hospital where he was treated for head injuries. He was later discharged.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for anyone with information to contact Athlone Garda Station 090-6498550 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.