GARDAÍ ARE INVESTIGATING an assault in which a teenager had three fingers cut off by a criminal gang.

The incident happened shortly after midnight on Friday evening/Saturday morning in the Kilcronan area of Clondalkin.

The 16-year-old is still being treated in St James’s Hospital after being left with gashes on his arms as well as having three fingers cut off.

It is believed the boy, who was involved in burglaries and break-ins, was attacked for working in an area supposedly under the control of a criminal gang.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor Trevor Gilligan said that the attack was “barbaric”.

“This is a disgraceful and barbaric attack, the worst I’ve come across since becoming a Councillor for the area ten years ago. The fact that a criminal gang would cut off a teen’s fingers because he was apparently ‘working on their turf’ is appalling.

“This whole incident highlights the need for more Garda resources and in particular more resources working on targeting gangs operating in Dublin. It’s clear that the gangs operating in communities like Clondalkin and Lucan feel they rule the streets and can act with impunity.

“Just last weekend we saw a six year old boy shot in a botched gangland-style hit in Ballyfermot. Gardaí need to reassert control over these communities.”

Gardaí in Clondalkin are investigating the incident, but no arrests have yet been made.

Read: Condition of six-year-old boy shot in Dublin described as “non life-threatening”