Gardai investigating a vicious attack on a 14-year-old schoolboy have made a number of arrests this morning.
The young boy was subjected to a horrific assault in Navan, Co Meath, on Monday.
The incident was filmed and widely shared on social media this week.
Investigators have this morning lifted three male juveniles.
The Garda probe into the assault is focused on whether a potential hate crime was committed.
Gardai define a hate crime as a criminal offence in which it is "perceived by the victim or any other person to, in whole or in part, be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on actual or perceived age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender".
However, there is no hate crime legislation currently in place as the government is set to have its new law on the issue ratified by the Seanad.
But it is understood that gardai have logged the incident as a potential hate crime based off the international McPherson test.
The incident is also being investigated as an assault, with the Garda press office saying the force is investigating it as such.
In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said: "Gardai are continuing to investigate the assault of a teenage boy which occurred in Navan on Monday, the 15th May 2023.
"Following this incident, a male juvenile teen attended Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where he received treatment for serious facial injuries.
"Gardai have today arrested three male juvenile teens in the Navan area for alleged offences under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1999. All three are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at Garda Stations in the Meath Region.
"An Garda Siochana has appointed an FLO and continues to liaise with the victim and the victim’s family.
"An Garda Siochana is aware of a video circulating on social media of this incident and out of respect for the victim in this case we would request that people refrain from sharing this video.
"Gardai are continuing to appeal to any person with information on the assault to contact Navan Garda Station at 046 9079930, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station."
It has also emerged that Beaufort College in Navan is to issue disciplinary proceedings against students alleged to have been involved in the assault.
In a statement to this paper, the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board said: "The patron, LMETB, and school management have made the services of NEPS available to the school. Guidance and counselling staff employed by LMETB are providing support and assistance on an ongoing basis.
"An Garda Siochana are also addressing issues surrounding the incident. For the avoidance of doubt the incident did not occur on school grounds but rather occurred on a green area in an adjacent housing estate."
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