Enniscorthy knife attacker arrested
by Louise McCarthy
A MAN has been charged following two violent attacks on local women in Enniscorthy.
Gardai arrested an Irish man on Thursday morning in relation to the attack on a pensioner at Springvalley and armed robbery at a Slaney Street store. He has been remanded in custody at Cloverhill.
Fears have been mounting in Enniscorthy following two violent crimes in close succession.
On Sunday June 14th, a local elderly woman was climbing the 21Steps at about 7.30p.m, when it is believed that the man now in custody approached her and allegedly kicked her to the ground.
When the woman fell, the man is alleged to have kicked her to such an extent that she sustained head injuries and he fled with her hand-bag.
The victim was hospitalised at Wexford General Hospital and was discharged the following day.
She had to get stitches to her head and is believed to be badly traumatised.
Following the attack, concern was voiced by a family friend, who wished to remain anonymous, that despite local reports of an individual acting suspiciously in the area that day, Gardai were not contacted until the brutal assault had taken place.
Just days after that assault, it is alleged that the same man entered the Gala Express Store (popularly known as O’Leary’s Shop),at about 11.30a.m on Wednesday last.
He wielded a knife threatening the female employee who was on her own at the store and fled the scene with the contents of the till.
In a unrelated incident, on Thursday morning, Sam McCauley’s Pharmacy, Court St, was broken into. CCTV footage shows a masked man forcing entry into the store at 4.30a.m and leaving with the contents of the till.
At the time of going to press, noone had been arrested in relation to this incident.
