Young girl, 12, recovering after surgery following 'heinous' assault in Co Cork

A young girl aged 12 is 'doing well' following surgery after she was seriously in a 'heinous' assault at her home in Charleville, Co Cork.

The child is thought to have sustained serious head injuries in what is understood to be an assault on her home by suspected masked men with slash hooks.

Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene at a home in the New Line area of Charleville on Monday night, August 19, at approximately 11:30pm. The perpetrators damaged both the house and a car outside.

The girl was transferred to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries before being taken Temple Street Children's Hospital in Dublin. 

“They're very hopeful that she'll make a full recovery,” Superintendent Gary McPolin said.

“This happened on a Monday night, it's unacceptable, inexcusable, and will not be tolerated, either by the local people or by the gardaí.

“The people in Charleville are completely disgusted with what’s happened in their town. It’s a very law-abiding town with very decent people who have very good relationships with the guards and vice versa.”

It’s suspected that the child was injured as part of an ongoing feud between families in Limerick and Cork.

Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact the investigation team at Mallow Garda Station at 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station. 

Investigations are ongoing and no arrests have yet been made.