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Father and son injured in 'serious attack' at house

BBC A Garda car in blue and yellow in front of a Garda tape and a bungalowBBC
A cordon at the house where the attack took place

A man has been airlifted to hospital in Belfast after he and his father were attacked at a house in Lifford, County Donegal, near the border with Northern Ireland.

Gardaí (Irish police) said the assault happened on the Coneyburrow Road at about 10:00 local time on Monday.

It is understood a number of masked men entered the house armed with iron bars.

The son, who in his 20s, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. His father, who is in his 60s, was brought to Letterkenny University Hospital by ambulance for less serious injuries.

Local councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman said it was a shocking incident to happen to a "quiet and close community".

"The whole community is rocked by it," she told BBC News NI.

"It was unexpected and it's deeply saddening. We're all praying that this young man pulls through."

Dakota Nic Mheanman - a young woman with brown hair in an updo. She is wearing a black coat and a white and black stripped jumper. She is looking directly at the camera and is standing in front of a panelled wood wall.
Dakota Nic Mheanman says the local community is shocked by the attack

'Aggravated assault'

Garda Sergeant Eunan Walsh described it as a "very serious aggravated assault" during an appeal for witnesses on Donegal-based Highland Radio.

The scene remained cordoned off on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was assisting An Garda Síochána (the Irish police service) with the investigation.

At the scene: Elaine McGee, BBC News NI

Senior police officers were conducting door-to door inquiries along the Coneyburrow Road on Tuesday.

It's a quiet area, located along the busy N15 road, about half a mile outside Lifford and in close proximity to the border.

There's no visible sign of what unfolded at this house bar the noticeable garda presence and cordon in place across the front gate.

Two cars remain parked outside.

One resident said it's generally a very quiet area with local people shocked by what has happened.