Gardai probe serious Navan assault that left man hospitalised with head injuries

The vicious attack took place in a house rented by Meath County Council for people on the HAPS schene.

Horrific pictures of the aftermath show the bathroom area and the walls covered in blood following the incident which has caused outrage locally.

A Garda spokesman confirmed, ‘Gardai were called to an incident in the Abbeygrove, Navan on Sunday April 17th at 10 pm, they found an injured male.

‘No formal complaint has yet been made and enquiries are ongoing.’

One source told the Sunday World, ‘An elderly man who was offered temporary accommodation there that night walked into the scene from hell, as he arrived there was a massive fight going on and one guy was seriously injured.

‘When the guards arrived the guy who was hurt was in no fit state to communicate with them and he was brought to the Lourdes hospital in Drogheda.’

It is understood the victim has subsequently been transferred to Beaumont hospital in Dublin.

Local Independent councillor Alan Lawes, who regularly deals with homeless people is horrified at what happened.

He said, 'I have seen the photos and as they say every picture tells a story, you don’t have to be an expert to realise the victim lost a lot of blood and must be seriously hurt.

‘I’d like to know if Gardai sealed the area off with tape and have conducted a forensic examination, because no matter what they might say this a crime scene.

‘My understanding is the victim was not able to talk on the night so officially no crime has been reported but it is clear to everyone that one has actually happened.

‘It is incidents like this that show how much we need an independent inspectorate to oversee homeless accommodation throughout the country.’

A spokesperson for Meath County Council said, ‘The incident to which you refer to did not happen in emergency accommodation but in a private rented property which was part of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme.

‘We understand that the matter has been reported to An Garda Siochana and accordingly the Council will not be commenting  while an investigation is ongoing.’