Gardai treating assault on Navan teenager as 'hate crime'

There has been widespread condemnation of a vicious assault on a teenager on Monday which was filmed and widely shared on social media.

Gardai have confirmed they are treating the attack as a "hate crime" and that they are working closely with the school as part of their investigation.

Meanwhile a spokesperson for the school's patron body LMETB has confirmed that it is aware of the alleged incident and that "significant disciplinary procedures have been initiated at school level" and said they "await the outcome of due process".

The victim of the assault was just 14 years old and local gardai have confirmed that he attended the emergency department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital following the horrific attack on Monday and was released a few hours later.

According to Gardai, the young man suffered a mild concussion, chipped teeth and bruising to the face and head.

There has been widespread shock and outrage over the assault with dozens of messages of support for the boy and his family.

In response to a post on the Parents in Meath Facebook Page about the incident from a horrified parent, the boy's mother gave an update saying he had a concussion, bruising to his face, neck, head and ears and also four broken teeth.

She confirmed they been to the Gardai and said she "hoped something would be done by both the school and the Gardai".

"To think that anyone has the right to put their hands on someone because of who they are is absolutely disgusting in this day and age," she wrote.

In another post, the boy's mother wrote thanked everyone for their messages and comments and that as a family they really appreciated the support.

Another relative wrote: "Absolutely disgusting people for doing that to my nephew today. They should be ashamed of themselves and so should the people watching it and cheering, I hope their parents are proud of them to do that to a 14-year-old boy that couldn't defend himself."

Another relative wrote: "Absolutely disgusting what happened to my nephew today and every one of the people that were involved and filming it should be ashamed of themselves, laughing and thought was funny watching him get beaten as he screamed for them to stop."

Navan Gardaí confirmed they are investigating the vicious assault on Monday and have requested that people refrain from sharing it.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said a male youth was treated for serious facial injuries at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

The assault on the teenager happened in the Navan area at approximately 2.30pm on Monday afternoon.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact Navan Garda Station.

An Garda Síochána said it "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".

The 25-second clip appears to show the student walking along with a group when he is struck in the face by one youth before a second youth comes from behind hitting him twice more in the face. As the terrified victim tries to turn and walk away he is then set upon by a large group of youths who reign down punches and kicks.

A voice in the video recording can be heard to shout "come on, lads", as the attack continues.

The victim is seen trying to crawl to safety on his hands and knees but is attacked again, this time being left motionless on the grass after another savage onslaught of kicks and punches. Eventually, two students intervene to stop the vicious assault.

The attack has been widely comdemned by local politicians.

Deputy Peadar Toibin said: "Footage circulating online today of a viscous and horrific attack on a school child in Navan is deeply concerning, the attack appears to have taken place in view of two schools. The Gardaí must thoroughly investigate this matter. No child should feel unsafe in school, at lunch, or after school. This display of violence is completely unacceptable and there must be full accountability here. Parents who have seen this footage today will have serious concerns about their childrens' safety".

Cllr Alan Lawes said he was shocked at the level of violence involved. "It is frightening to see such a level of viciousness in what appears to be an unprovoked attack in broad daylight.

"I would encourage any young person who witnessed the assault to contact the gardai and if they don't want to go direct to the gardai, they can contact the Garda confidential line."

Cllr Yemi Adenuga said she was so sad to hear of the incident. "It is one of the saddest things that happened in Navan. My heart goes out to the young land. Thank God he is alive.

"It is very worrying that young people act like that towards a classmate. It goes to show we need to work together as a society to stamp out hate crime.

"We have to play a role in educating young people that people have a right to be who they are and you cannot attack people because of who they are.