Updated 18.30
A WOMAN IS in a critical condition after being burned, stabbed, and beaten in a vicious attack at her home in Limerick.
The serious assault took place inside the woman’s flat at Hassett’s Villas, Thomondgate, overnight.
The woman named locally as 37-year-old Simone Lee from Thomondgate sustained “burn marks to her face, neck, and torso”, garda sources said.
Detectives are liaising with doctors treating Lee at University Hospital Limerick to determine the cause of her burn injuries.
A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the attack.
The suspect is being detained for questioning at Henry Street Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
Lee was found inside her first-floor flat with burn marks, a stab wound in her back, and a deep cut to her head.
“She had one stab wound to her back and she had quite a severe laceration to her forehead. The guy who apparently assaulted her was still there when the emergency services arrived at the flat,” said a source.
“We don’t know whether the burn marks were caused by some kind of acid or by some kind of boiling water,” they said.
Gardaí and the emergency service first responders discovered Lee lying on the floor naked from the waist up in a pair of wet jeans.
“It looked like she had been there for some time,” a source said.
According to the source she was “semi-conscious” and “massively hypothermic”.
The victim was initially treated at the scene by paramedics and then rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.
“These were some of the worst injuries I’ve seen. There was a lot of blood,” said the source.
Lee “received a puncture wound to her back” sources also said.
She has been sedated by doctors.
“She is in a critical but stable condition,” they added.
Known to victim
Sources said the arrested man is known to Lee but was not residing in the flat with her.
A local woman living nearby described the victim as “a nice girl”.
Local Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan meanwhile said he had previously attempted to help Lee secure accommodation.
“I had tried to get her a house before. She seemed like a nice girl. Her mother passed away a few years ago. It’s shocking,” he added.
Ms Lee’s townhouse flat, as well as a number of adjoining properties, and two roadway access points leading to the apartment block, will remain sealed off by Gardai overnight pending the arrival of Garda forensic officers from the capital city who will technically examine the property tomorrow.
“The scene will be held overnight for the technical unit from Dublin,” the Garda source explained.
Shards of glass were visible on the street outside the flat and an upstairs window was smashed. It’s believed an ironing board was thrown through the window at the flat.
Detectives have yet to speak to Ms Lee as she remains in a critical condition.
Gardai said they were keen to speak to anyone with information that may help their investigation.
They are also investigating whether or not there were other persons in the house during the savage assault.
“Gardaí in Mayorstone, Limerick City are investigating a serious assault on a female in Limerick on the 26 into the 27 November 2016. At approximately 12.40am on the 27th November gardaí received a report of a disturbance at a property at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate,” an official Garda statement said.
When gardaí entered the premises they observed a female with serious injuries to her body, possibly stab wounds, an ambulance was called and the 37-year-old female was taken to University Hospital Limerick. Her condition is described as critical but stable.
The scene has been preserved for a technical examination. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Mayorstone Garda station at 061 456980, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say