Dublin acid attack suspect was paid to target victim’s face, gardaí believe

Gardaí believe a man who bundled a woman to the ground before throwing acid over her hands and face was paid to carry out the attack by another woman.

The assault in south Dublin has left the victim with suspected life-changing injuries, including facial scars and eye damage.

Detectives believe the injured woman was targeted because the woman suspected of planning it had a grudge against her.

Gardaí believe the two women have a mutual male associate and the relationships between the three are at the centre of the case.

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The victim is a Chinese national and gardaí believe another foreign woman living in Dublin had a grudge against her.

One line of inquiry is that this woman paid a man to attack the victim by throwing acid in her face. The attack appears to have been motivated because one of the two women resented the relationship between the victim and their male associate. He is not suspected of any involvement in the attack.

Pulled to the ground

The acid was thrown on the victim's face and hands in Blackrock, south Dublin.

The woman, aged in her early 30s, was attacked using “a caustic substance” shortly after 10pm on Friday, December 1st.

She was walking along a path between Merrion Woods and Seamount Apartments in Blackrock when she was dragged into a secluded spot and pulled to the ground before the acid was thrown over her.

Gardaí have expressed particular interest in a “heavy set” man who was wearing dark clothing and was seen alone in the area at the time.

Gardaí are calling for information from walkers, taxi drivers, delivery drivers or any other people who “may have observed anything suspicious” around Rosemount Terrace, Fosterbrook, Merrion Woods and Seamount Apartments between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Friday.

Any drivers with dash-cam footage who were in the area at the time are asked to get in touch.

Members of the public can contact Blackrock Garda station on 01-6665200, the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.