A 12-year-old girl has been hospitalized with a serious head injury following an attack on a house in north Cork on Monday. The incident, which has been described as “heinous and reprehensible,” has shocked the community and prompted a major Garda investigation.

The girl was injured during the incident in which at least five masked and armed men smashed up a car and attacked a house on the New Line in Charleville at 11.30pm on Monday. It is understood the girl was standing just inside the front door of the house when she was struck on the head by one of the assailants as he broke a glass panel in the door with a slash hook. The girl was treated at the scene for a severe laceration by paramedics before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

When medics carried out a series of scans on the girl at Cork University Hospital, they found that she had suffered a skull injury and she was transferred to Children’s Health Ireland at Temple Street. It is understood the girl underwent emergency surgery and according to a statement from the Garda Press Office on Tuesday afternoon, she remains in a serious but stable condition at Temple Street.

The Attack and its Aftermath

The girl and her mother were alone in the house at the time. It’s understood three male members of the family had left the building before it was attacked. Gardaí believe the attack was in retaliation for an incident in Patrickswell in Co Limerick two weeks ago when an armed and masked gang smashed up a car and broke windows in a house. Gardaí have cordoned off the scene of the incident in Charleville to allow for a forensic examination of the property. The damaged car was removed for examination.

Investigating officers are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or seen any suspicious activity in the New Line area Charleville between 10.30pm and midnight to contact them. They are particularly anxious to speak to anyone with camera footage from the area at the time and they can be contacted at Mallow Garda station on 022 31450.

Condemnation and Appeal for Information

The Garda Superintendent overseeing the investigation, Superintendent Gary McPolin, described the incident as “heinous and reprehensible” and implored anyone with information to come forward. “It’s heinous and reprehensible that this should happen to a young child inside in the private environs of their home,” he told The Echo. Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have been in the vicinity of the New Line area on Monday, August 19, between 10.30pm and 12am. Additionally, any persons with camera footage, including dash-cam footage, from the area at the time are encouraged to provide it to investigating gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Mallow Garda Station at 022 31450, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

A Community in Shock

In the wake of the incident, councillors in the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District, which takes in Charleville, moved to support the appeal for witnesses. Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden said he was “shocked” to hear of the incident, urging anyone with information to contact the Gardaí. This was echoed by his party colleague councillor John Paul O’Shea who said he wished to offer his “full support” to investigating Gardaí and hoped that the perpetrators would be brought to justice swiftly.

Seeking Justice: A Call to Action

The attack has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents shaken and demanding justice. Gardaí are working tirelessly to gather evidence and track down the perpetrators, who are believed to be linked to an ongoing feud between extended families in Cork and Limerick. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of such feuds and the devastating impact they can have on innocent lives. The community of Charleville, as well as the wider public, are united in their call for an end to the violence and for the perpetrators to be held accountable for their actions. The search for justice continues, with Gardaí determined to bring those responsible to justice.