Arrests after two violent incidents in athlone

Three young males have been arrested following two violent incidents in Athlone yesterday.

At approximately 1.30am a male taxi driver in his 70s picked up two males at Church Street, Athlone and drove to Bloomfield Drive in Coosan where he was threatened and assaulted by his passengers.

The driver sustained a number of stab wounds during the attack. The two males fled scene on foot with a small amount of cash.

The injured man was later taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe and has since been discharged.

Then, at approximately 5.45pm, three youths armed with a firearm and an iron bar entered The Cova shop on the Ballymahon Road.

The trio threatened and assaulted the shopkeeper, a man aged in his 70s, before leaving the scene on foot empty handed. He is believed to have been hit over the head several times.

The shopkeeper was later taken to Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe where he was treated for head injuries. He was later discharged.

During a follow-up operation earlier today in Athlone, Gardaí arrested three males in their late teens in relation to both violent incidents.

All three are currently being held in Athlone Garda Station for questioning, two of which have been held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, while the third is detained under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939.

Gardaí are continuing to appeal to anyone with information in relation to either incident to contact Athlone Garda Station 090 6498550 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.