A 23-year-old woman, who runs a boutique in New Ross, Co Wexford, is in a serious condition in hospital after being stabbed in her shop yesterday.
Ms Diane Hamilton was alone in her boutique, Whispers, in Quay Street, New Ross, at around 2.15 p.m. yesterday when she was confronted by her attacker.
The man grabbed the takings from the till before stabbing Ms Hamilton a number of times in the back and shoulders with a knife.
The injured woman, from Camblin, New Ross, summoned the help of passers-by who contacted the emergency services. She was taken by ambulance to Waterford Regional Hospital where she underwent emergency surgery.
Her condition was described last night as serious but stable.
Her attacker, who is believed to be in his late to mid-40s, fled the scene on foot after grabbing cash and cheques from the till. He was last seen in the North Street area of New Ross.
The man is described as having grey hair and a beard. He was wearing a distinctive red jacket, blue jeans and brown shoes.
He is understood to have visited a number of business premises in New Ross in the hours leading up to the assault.
Garda experts conducted a forensic examination of the boutique during the afternoon, while local detectives carried out door-to-door enquiries. Closed-circuit television footage is also being examined while gardaí have renewed appeals for information from shoppers or motorists who may been in the busy Quay Street area between 2 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.
Supt Tom Saunderson, who is heading the investigation, said: "This is a very serious incident and obviously we are anxious to speak to anyone who may have seen this particular man in or about the town in the hours leading up to the assault or immediately afterwards. We are particularly anxious to hear from anyone who may have spoken to this man or perhaps given him a lift to or from the town yesterday.
"At the moment we are following all lines of inquiry and would welcome any information whatsoever from members of the public."
Local business people expressed their shock at the attack.
Mr Ray Lawlor, chairman of New Ross Traders Association, said: "We are shocked by this incident which has affected everyone in the town, particularly those of us in the retail sector. Our immediate and heartfelt thoughts are with Diane and her family and we hope and pray that she will make a speedy recovery from her ordeal."
Mr Lawlor also urged members of the public to help the gardaí "in any way possible" in tracing the man responsible.