LAST UPDATE | 4 Jan 2022

GARDAÍ HAVE ISSUED a renewed appeal for witnesses after two teenagers were attacked in Ballyfermot last Thursday.

It comes as a fundraising appeal that was launched to help Alanna Quinn Idris, who was left with life-changing injuries after the assault, reached over €40,000 in just two days.

Alanna, aged 17, was on the way home with a friend when they were assaulted in Ballyfermot on Thursday by a number of youths at around 9.35pm.

Gardaí investigating the assault have appealed for any witnesses, particularly for anyone who was in the Ballyfermot Road area between 9.15pm and 10pm last Thursday.

They have particularly appealed to anyone who may have footage of the incident, including dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Alanna’s mother Jamie said the group attacked Alanna and a male friend, leaving her with a ruptured right eye and several broken bones and teeth. The family was told that there is 90% chance she will lose the vision in her right eye.

According to Jamie, one of the perpetrators is known to Alanna and had confronted her on the bus home from Liffey Valley prior to the attack.

“She [Alanna] was trying to make them leave him alone and one of them punched her and she fell to the ground. Then they attacked him, and witnesses have said that they saw her being hit with something in the face,” Jamie told RTÉ Radio 1’s Drivetime yesterday.

Jamie told Newstalk Breakfast this morning that Alanna had been in good spirits since the attack but since seeing the extent of her injuries has taken its toll.

“It’s devastating. She’s just really worried about not looking normal and that’s her fear I think,” Jamie said. 

The eyesight at first wasn’t such a huge deal because she was like, ‘I still have one eye’. And I think she was really hopeful that the diagnosis was the worst-case scenario but I think after she saw the eye the other night she was like ‘ok, this isn’t going to work anymore’.

“And she’s literally slept since then. I don’t know what to say to her, I don’t know how to comfort her, I don’t know how to make her feel better.” 

Jamie went on to thank Alanna’s friend for protecting her and the neighbour who chased off the gang of youths, saying:

“The argument started with boys who have tormented Alanna for a long time. They didn’t even know Alanna’s friend.

“If he hadn’t been there I don’t know what would have happened. We’re so grateful to him and the neighbour, we can’t thank them enough.” 

My daughter was viciously assaulted by 3 men. 30/12. 10pm CivicCenter.
Ballyfermot
WithHurlingStick,MetalBar&Knife. If any1 saw anything, pls report it. She suffered broken bones & lost of sight She is going tru multiple surgeries. Pls pray for her 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/cXXtGWwcCz

— A H M E D (@djahmed_ireland) January 2, 2022

Two days ago, a GoFundMe appeal was launched to raise €5,000 in support of Alanna’s recovery. Since the appeal was launched, over €40,000 has been raised.

According to the page, all funds raised will be split equally with Alanna’s friend.

Olympic gold medalist Kellie Harrington paid tribute to Alanna, tweeting: “ I’m so so sorry this happened to your beautiful daughter, I hope whoever it was is caught and punished. Sending my love, recover well.”