Gardaí believe three armed muggings which occurred in Limerick city overnight and within half an hour of each other are related.
Two men thought to be in their twenties are suspected of committing all the attacks threatening their victims with a 12" knife.
Shortly after 2 a.m. this morning a man parking his car at Charlotte Quay in the city was approached by the two men armed with the knife who demanded his money, wallet and watch.
Some minutes later a woman was attacked by the men and stabbed in the arm as she struggled to retain her handbag. At 2.30 a.m. another woman walking in the Pennywell area had her handbag stolen when the men cut the strap.
Gardaí at Henry Street Station believe the same men were involved in all the incidents. They have described one of the men as 6'2", of skinny build and with a shaved head and the other as 5'10", with dark hair and clothing.
The gardaí are continuing their investigation.