Two 18-year-old men are due to appear at Dublin District Court this morning charged in connection with the serious assault of a Lithuanian man on Saturday night in Dublin.
The man, who was walking home from town with three friends, was critically injured in the attack by a gang of four youths.
The attack happened at shortly after 9.30 p.m. on Saturday at the Royal Canal, Dublin, near Croke Park.
Gardaí believe the four Lithuanians were approached by a group of four men and two women.
Initially a skirmish broke out between the two groups. This was followed by a more serious fight further down the road in which the man was seriously assaulted, according to Det Insp Christy Mangan, from Mountjoy Garda station.
A second member of his party was also injured, but his injuries are not thought to be serious.
Det Insp Mangan described the incident as an "extremely vicious assault", and appealed for any witnesses to the incident.
He was beaten around the head and neck during the assault and sustained "serious head injuries", according to gardaí.
He is being treated in Dublin's Mater Hospital, where he is described as being in a "very serious condition".
The injured man (48) works in the construction industry, and only arrived in Ireland last June.
Gardaí have been in touch with a relative who lives in Ireland, and his family in Lithuania have also been contacted.
Shortly after the incident gardaí arrested two 18-year-olds and brought them to Mountjoy Garda station for questioning. They will appear in court this morning.
A third teenager was arrested yesterday, and was detained for questioning at Store Street Garda station last night.
Gardaí are still seeking a fourth youth who was involved in the incident.
A motive for the attack has not been established yet.
Gardaí are appealing for any pedestrians or motorists who were in the Royal Canal area between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday to contact them.
Anyone who may have witnessed the assault is asked to contact gardaí at Mountjoy Garda station at 01 6668600.