A man was stabbed at a house in Castlebar, Co Mayo, early this morning in front of a three-year-old child who his attacker brought with him to the scene.
The victim, who is understood to be from Mayo, was in the house at the Manor Village estate with a group of people.
At approximately 3.30 am another man, who apparently knew the victim, arrived with the child. He stabbed the victim in the chest in full view of the other people present.
When the victim left the house, he was stabbed again in the street.
Residents nearby called the emergency services and the man was removed to Mayo General Hospital where he is said to be "critical but stable".
A man was arrested shortly afterwards on the Westport Road in the town and is being held for questioning at Castlebar Garda Station.
Gardaí believe that "a dispute over a woman" may have been the reason for the attack.