Gardai in Ballyfermot, Dublin, have begun a major investigation into an assault on a taxi-driver. He suffered serious face, neck and back injuries when he was attacked by a passenger.
Ten detectives and a large number of uniformed gardai are involved in the search for the perpetrator of what Insp Tom O'Sullivan described as a "very vicious and violent assault."
Gardai have appealed for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 1 a.m. yesterday at Killeen Road in Ballyfermot.
The man attacked the driver repeatedly with a very sharp instrument. The driver crashed the car into railings and ran away, followed by his attacker, who did not catch him.
The injured man underwent lengthy surgery at St James's hospital, where his condition was yesterday described as serious. The attacker was described as small and wearing a white jacket.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballyfermot Garda station at 01 626-4559, or any Garda station.