Gardai in Dundalk have launched an investigation after what appears to have been so-called punishment beating on a teenager in the town although they have yet to receive a statement of complaint from the victim.
The 17 year old victim was assaulted by a number of men wearing balaclavas and carrying a sledgehammer who attacked him in his home in the Castletown Road area of the town.
He underwent surgery for serious injuries to his left leg today and is recovering in hospital.