A woman in her 80s is undergoing medical treatment in a Midlands hospital after being attacked by a man at the nursing home where she lived on Monday night.
Gardaí believe the man was an intruder who gained entrance via a door at the home before assaulting the woman in her room in what was described as a very serious incident.
It is understood the elderly woman was subjected to a frightening ordeal, which included an attempt restrain or control her while her attacker was in the room.
The alarm was raised and when gardaí rushed to the scene in Athlone on Monday night the suspected attacker was arrested there. He was detained for questioning and was due to appear before the District Court in Athlone, Co Westmeath, on Wednesday morning.
‘I am back in work full-time and it is unbearable. Managers have become mistrustful’
‘Remarkable’ officer who was subject to court martial should be rehabilitated and promoted, says ombudsman
Gardaí search for potential information left behind by deceased Kyran Durnin murder suspect
Enoch Burke’s father Sean jailed for courtroom assault on garda
In reply to queries, Garda Headquarters confirmed it was “investigating a serious assault which occurred at a care home” in Athlone on Monday.
“A woman, aged in her 80s, was taken to Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life threatening. A man (50s) was arrested at the scene by gardaí.”
The statement also confirmed the arrest man had since been charged in connection with the assault and was due to appear before court.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
