Investigation continues into vicious slash-hook attack

INVESTIGATION Gardaí are still looking for information in relation to a vicious attack that took place at the Corrib Oil service station in Ballinrobe.

Violent daylight assault in Ballinrobe linked to war between rival factions

Anton McNulty and Oisín McGovern

The victim of a violent attack in a Ballinrobe filling station last Tuesday remains in a serious condition in a Dublin hospital with life altering injuries.
The male, in his 20s, was assaulted by two individuals on the grounds of the Corrib Oil filling station on the Neale Road in Ballinrobe at approximately 12.15pm on Tuesday.
Gardaí believe the attack is linked to an ongoing feud between two rival factions in the south Mayo and Galway areas.
A Garda source said the feud originated over drugs and has escalated in the past 12 months, with a number of incidents reported in the Ballinrobe area.
The incidents included damage to homes and criminal damage, but last Tuesday’s attack represents a considerable escalation in the feud.
While no weapons have been recovered, it is understood a slash hook and another bladed instrument were used in the attack.
Gardaí believe the two masked men attacked the victim just outside the shop, leaving him with serious injuries to his head and body.
Gardaí believe the two attackers left the filling station in a dark 2005 Honda Accord car, which was later found crashed on the Kilmaine to Tuam road. The car was not involved in a chase prior to the crash, according to An Garda SíochΡna.
The two men are believed to have fled that location on foot.
The car was also spotted in the south Mayo area over an hour before the incident. Road users who may have camera footage, including dash-cam footage, and were travelling on the Tuam-Kilmaine-Ballinrobe road between 10am and 6pm last Tuesday are asked to make this footage available to the Gardaí.
Gardaí have yet to speak to the victim of the attack, due to the severity of his injuries, but they are investigating all aspects of the attack and an incident room has been setup.
A number of threatening videos have been circulating since the attack, believed to be connected to the feud.

‘Bewilderment’
The assault has prompted calls for a stronger police presence in Ballinrobe.
Local county councillor Damien Ryan, a member of the Mayo Joint Policing Committee, demanded several new policing measures be put in place in light of the incident, which he described as ‘out of character’ for Ballinrobe.
Speaking to The Mayo News, Cllr Ryan said the assault was greeted with ‘shock and bewilderment’ by the local people.
“I’m not blaming any body or authority, but it [the attack] pretty much says that enough is enough and we need to act collectively,” Cllr Ryan said. “The local authority needs to revisit all its housing strategies and emergency provision. An Garda SíochΡna needs to look at the stations’ operational hours and a detective needs to be assigned full-time to Ballinrobe station,” he added.
Cllr Michael Burke echoed Cllr Ryan’s condemnation of the incident. “It is disgraceful to think that the perpetrators feel that they can commit an attack of this magnitude in broad daylight at a busy filling station where innocent people and even children could have been caught up in the attack,” Cllr Burke said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Claremorris Garda Station on 094 9372080, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.