An ambulance crew was attacked in the O'Malley Park area of Limerick after going to help an intoxicated teenage girl.
A medical technician was treated in hospital after the crew had stones thrown at them, were spat at and had kicks and punches aimed at them.
The ambulance members were confronted by a crowd when they responded to a call just before 7pm that a 14-year-old girl was drunk in O'Malley Park in the Southill area of the city.
Minutes after their arrival, they were attacked by three young men.
The two emergency medical technicians were forced to retreat to the ambulance and radio for assistance before leaving O'Malley Park.
One of the crew members was treated for a head injury.
Michael Walsh, from the Health Services Executive, said: "We are very distressed at the attack on our ambulance crew. . . . the bottom line is that we are dependent on the decency of the public in situations where our ambulance personnel have to go in situations like this in an attempt to save life."
He said the two crew members were sent off duty following the attack.