A Kilkenny man was battling for his life in St Luke’s Hospital in Kilkenny last night following a stabbing incident in a city centre apartment on Wednesday night.
The man, who is understood to be 21 years of age, was stabbed in an apartment at Lower New Street in the city at 9pm and gardaí are seeking witnesses. The scene was sealed off for technical examination.
Gardaí reported that the man was injured with a stab wound and that the incident was reported to gardaí immediately after the stabbing took place.
Gardaí have arrested three people in relation to the attack including two men and a woman, under Section 3 of Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.
One person is being held in Thomastown Garda Station while two others are being held in Kilkenny.
All of those arrested are said to be in their early twenties and are from Kilkenny,
The injured man is also said to be local and has family in Kilkenny. He is currently receiving treatment for his injury at St Luke’s Hospital.
Gardaí were not releasing details as to the circumstances surrounding the incident “for operational reasons”, but Sergeant John Hanlon appealed for witnesses.
“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area or saw anything suspicious around New Street and the cinema in around nine O’ Clock on Wednesday night,” he asked.
Anyone with any further information should contact Gardaí at Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line 1 800 666 111 or any Garda Station.
Member of the Joint Policing Committee Cllr Joe Malone was concerned about the number of violent attacks in the city recently, following reports of an attack on an elderly woman in St John’s church yard and on a man in a city laneway this week.
“It is very worrying to see crime escalating in the city but we are doing a lot to alleviate crime through the Joint Policing Committee. There is more CCTV in place in Kilkenny than ever before and it is of excellent quality and this is helping the gardaí to catch criminals.
“Of course we need more gardaí and we need them to be more visible, on the streets and engaging with the public. People themselves also have a responsibility to stay safe.
“People need to be vigilant when they are out and not put themselves into vulnerable situations. Also it’s advisable not to carry much cash when out and about and ensure that they or those around them are not isolated,” he added.
