Brothers targeted in a suspected acid attack in Cork may lose their sight after serious facial injuries.
One man in his 30s was arrested following the sinister assault on three brothers at a house in Ballyphehane on Friday night.
The siblings were hit with what is believed to be acid and two were rushed to hospital shortly after 8pm suffering with serious injuries.
The third brother was treated at the scene after he was splashed during the incident, but escaped serious injury.
Sources last night said medics fear the two admitted to hospital could lose their eyesight. Their injuries are described as “serious but not life threatening”.
One of the men, aged 45, suffered the worst injuries after liquid was poured onto his head, face and upper body.
Cork City Fire Brigade set up a decontamination tent to treat the three men before two were taken for treatment to Cork University Hospital.
The shocking incident has left gardai baffled as the men are not known to them and there is no clear motive.
The incident is understood to have taken place at a house on Connolly Road in Ballyphehane on the south side of Cork. A man is believed to have forced his way into a house, where he threw liquid at one of the men watching TV.
Gardai have appealed for information and say investigations are ongoing.
A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of an incident on Connolly Road.
“Two men were removed to hospital with what are believed to be serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
“Gardai arrested a man, aged in his 30s, shortly after midnight. He is currently detained under Section 4 of The Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Bridewell Garda Station.”
