Woman critical after hammer attack

A woman remains in a critical condition in hospital today after being attacked in her home with a hammer.

Gardaí discovered the 31-year-old at a house in Ladyswell Road in Blanchardstown, Dublin, yesterday morning.

It is understood she had been beaten with a hammer a number of times while sleeping in a bedroom at the front of the house.

The woman was taken by ambulance to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital, where her condition was described as critical. She was later transferred to Beaumont hospital, and was being treated in the intensive care unit last night.

A Beaumont Hospital spokesman confirmed that her condition remained critical.

Gardaí found the woman after responding to a report of an assault shortly after 10am. They made the discovery after a 39-year-old man presented himself at Blanchardstown Garda station. The man was arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, and may be held for up to 24 hours.

Both the woman and the suspect are from central Europe, and the man is believed to be related to her but the exact nature of the relationship could not be confirmed.

The house in Blanchardstown has been sealed off for a forensic examination. Gardaí said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

The victim has a young son, who was understood to be in the house at the time of the attack.