A train driver had glass removed from both eyes after a brick was thrown through the windscreen of a locomotive on Thursday night. The 37-year-old man was driving from Dundalk to Drogheda when he saw a youth throw the brick from a bridge that crosses the rail track in Castlebellingham.
The window shattered and he was struck on the face by flying glass. He was able to radio traffic control for help. A train on the Enterprise service travelling towards Dundalk stopped and he was transferred to it.
An ambulance was waiting at Dundalk station and brought him to Louth County Hospital. He was discharged overnight, but yesterday returned to hospital in Dublin for further treatment.
A spokesman for Iarnrod Eireann said: "This was a random and senseless act that had serious consequences."