Gardaí probe Clare machete attack that left three hospitalised as car found burned out in neighbouring village

The scene of an attack at a retail premise in Co Clare at lunchtime on Sunday

Gardaí are probing a machete attack in a small village in Clare on Sunday evening.

A man was seriously injured in the attack in Clarecastle, after two masked men stormed a shop in the village and attacked two customers.

One victim, a man in his 20s, was left with serious injuries in the attack – while a youth who was with him was also injured, but not seriously. A female customer in her 50s who was in the shop was also injured in the incident, but she was not badly hurt.

Sources have told The Irish Mirror the attackers escaped in a car which was later found burned out near Ballyea, around 7 kilometres south west of Clarecastle.

Gardaí have been trying to establish a motive for the attack and have appealed for witnesses.

A spokesman said officers at Ennis station, 4 kilometres north of the scene of the attack, are investigating.

A spokesman said: “Shortly before 1pm, it’s reported two men entered a retail premises and assaulted two males before fleeing the scene in a car. One of the injured males, aged in his 20s, is currently being treated for serious injuries in hospital.

“The other injured male, a youth in his late teens, received treatment in hospital for non-life threatening injuries and has since been released. A female in her 50s was also injured during the course of this incident and is receiving hospital treatment for non-life threatening injuries. The scene is preserved and a technical examination is being conducted.”

He asked for witnesses to come forward. He said: “Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling in the Clarecastle area between 12:45pm and 1:15pm are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí.

“Any persons who were in Clarecastle at these times and observed any activity which drew their attention are also asked to come forward. “Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ennis Garda Station on 065 6848100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

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