Last week, Alanna Quinn Idris and her friend Louis were victims of a brutal assault in Ballyfermot. The pair were attacked with a hurley stick, saddle and seat-post and a knife while walking home from the bus.

Alanna received severe facial injuries including broken bones, teeth and a ruptured eye. She has a 90 per cent chance of losing sight in her right eye as a result. Her 18-year-old friend was stabbed multiple times as he attempted to defend her from their four attackers.

In a statement this morning, officers said: “Gardaí from Ballyfermot and Clondalkin have this morning conducted a number of searches and arrested two male adult teenagers in respect of a serious assault that took place in the vicinity of the Civic Offices Ballyfermot Road on the 30/12/2021 at approximately 21:00 in which a female and a male sustained serious injuries.”

“Both males are detained at Garda stations in west Dublin under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.”

“Gardaí at Ballyfermot are appealing for witness who may not yet have come forward and in particular motorists who may have dash cam footage from Ballyfermot Road between approximately 21:00 and 22:00 on the 30/12/2021 to contact them at Ballyfermot Garda Station 6667200 or the Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111.”

Since the assault, over €78,000 has been raised to support Alanna and her friend, with her mother, Jamie, taking to the page to thank donors: “I never in my wildest of wild dreams could have imagined it would have gone this far for her. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude to each and every person. And not only for the donations, the love and encouragement is just as appreciated.”

“We as a family have unfortunately decided that relocating to a different area might be the best option for us. We will feel safer. It breaks my heart to potentially leave our home and the area I have lived in all my life but I will never be comfortable letting my children out to socialise in this area again and we cannot live like that. A fresh start is what we need. At least Alanna can now make her bedroom her little sanctuary thanks to each and everyone of you.”

Her mother told The Irish Times this week that a group of teenagers had been harassing Alanna for around five years. She had been verbally abused and eggs and cans of drink had been thrown at her.

Alanna is now at home in recovery and we wish her and Louis the very best.

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