Louth teenager hospitalised after alleged altercation involving samurai sword

The weapon has not been recovered.

A male teenager has sustained serious injuries following an alleged altercation that took place in Castleross, Louth on Saturday afternoon (25 January). At approximately 2.10pm, the teenager was involved in what Gardaí have described as an altercation between the injured party and a number of youths. Three males entered a house armed with what is believed to be a samurai sword, allegedly assaulting the teenager in the process. The injured male was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where his condition has been described as stable. One male has been arrested in connection with the incident and is currently being detained at Dundalk Garda Station. The weapon has not yet been recovered and investigations are ongoing. On Saturday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, Labour leader Brendan Howlin and Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín were among thousands in attendance for a rally against violence in Drogheda. Mayor of Drogheda Paul Bell addressed those gathered on West Street, noting that residents of the town are "terror-fatigued" following a spate of violence in the area in recent times.