Security around Travellers' settlements in the midlands has been stepped up following another serious incident in which a man was stabbed in Kinnegad, Co Westmeath, on Thursday night.
Mr Martin Sweeney, in his late 30s, was stabbed in the shoulder with a Stanley knife and struck on the head with a hurley stick at a filling station.
He and his family were travelling to Claremorris, Co Mayo, for the funeral of Mr Michael Sweeney (19) who died in hospital in England five weeks after being struck on the head with an iron bar.
Mr Sweeney, who lives at a halting site on the Naas Road, Dublin, was treated for his injuries at Longford/Westmeath Hospital, Mullingar.