A Wexford taxi-driver remains in a serious condition in hospital after a violent knife attack by three men, who stole his vehicle and €100 in cash.
Mr Michael O'Donnell (63) from Cromwell's Fort Heights in Wexford town received serious wounds to the neck and head in the incident which occurred near Barntown, outside Wexford town on Wednesday night.
He is recovering in Wexford General Hospital having undergone surgery. His condition was described yesterday as serious but stable.
Mr O'Donnell who works for a local taxi company, collected three men in the Saint Aidan's Crescent area of Wexford town shortly before 11.30p.m. on Wednesday.
He drove the men, believed to be aged in their late teens and early twenties, about two miles before they demanded he pull into a lay-by and hand over any cash.
One of the men then attacked Mr O'Donnell with a hammer, delivering a blow to the back of his head, while he also sustained a knife wound to the neck.
The injured man managed to stagger from the vehicle and raise the alarm while his assailants made their getaway in his green Toyota Camry saloon. The car was recovered at Curry's Villas in Wexford town yesterday morning and was due to be technically examined by Garda forensic experts. Gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident and no arrests have yet been made. Sergeant Mick Walsh of Wexford Garda Station appealed to for information.