A savage hatchet attack on an English couple holidaying in Ireland that put them in hospital with serious injuries has been condemned by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern.
Two men are being questioned today in a cross-Border inquiry into the incident which emerged
after PSNI officers went to the scene of a burning camper van fire on the Drumintee Road, Co Armagh at around 5.30am this morning.
As they dealt with the blaze, a Volkswagen Passat with two men inside broke a police checkpoint. Officers managed to halt the car and arrested the pair.
The camper van belonged to the victims, a man (61) and a woman (56), who were taken to Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda after being attacked near the former customs post at Carrickarnan on the main Dublin-to-Belfast road.
The man is in a serious but stable condition, while the woman's injuries are not regarded as life threatening.
It is understood the two were assaulted by a three-man gang with hatchets who broke into their camper van on the north Louth border at around 4am.
The attackers robbed the couple and stole the van.
Commenting on the attack, Mr Ahern said: "I was completely shocked to learn of the savage and mindless attack on our English visitors near the Border. What was inflicted on the couple in the early hours of the morning was despicable.
"This attack sadly will reflect poorly on a lovely part of the world. As a community we have and must do all in our powers to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
"Monday morning's attack strikes at the heart of this country's proud boast of being Ireland of the welcomes. I hope the perpetractors are brought to justice."
Additional reporting PA