Gardai have released without charge five males arrested in connection with serious assaults on two couples and the alleged rape of one of the women in county Louth early on Tuesday morning.
In all five teenagers and a 23 year old man, all from Lithuania, were quizzed about the assaults at Townley Hall near Drogheda. One was arrested on Tuesday and released later that day.
Gardai now believe that an iron bar as well as a crowbar and possibly a golf stick were used in the altercation.
Gardai are satisfied that both couples were physically assaulted and the two women and one of the men remained in hospital tonight.
One of the women recognised one of the alleged gang members in the emergency department of the Lourdes hospital yesterday morning.
Gardai from the divisional scenes of crime examination unit remained at Townley Hall today, where they worked their way through trees and undergrowth.
The car the couples were in when they were attacked has been technically examined as has a car the gang are believed to have travelled in; the latter was seized in the car park of the Lourdes hospital on Tuesday and was examined today.
Even experienced gardai have been taken aback at the degree of brutality and violence used and the local community in Tullyallen and Drogheda are in shock that such horror could take place and particularly on their doorstep.
A garda spokesman tonight confirmed those arrested had been released without charge and said a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.