A French student who was stabbed outside her Dublin apartment was the victim of a robbery, gardaí said last night.
Barbara Riouall (23), from Marseilles, is still in the intensive care unit of St James's Hospital but her condition is thought to be improving steadily.
Ms Riouall was attacked at around 7.15pm on Tuesday as she entered her apartment at Bertram Court, near Christ Church Cathedral, in the south inner city. She was stabbed several times in the throat, back and arms.
Supt Eddie Quirke said it appeared that a robbery was the motive for the attack. He added that he was hopeful of catching the attacker. "We're still appealing for more witnesses along the route he may have taken," he said.
The attacker is described as in his mid-20s, 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in, and with blond hair. He wore a blue jacket, green jumper and dark trousers and carried a canvas-type bag.
Supt Quirke said the man had approached the apartment complex from the James's Street/Thomas Street direction and ran afterwards along Bridge Street towards the quays.