Savage attack on boy (12)
The scene of the attack on John Street
A passing motorist who witnessed the assault described it as 'utter and complete savagery' vented on what appeared to be totally innocent children.
The child's mother is now appealing for witnesses to the assault which happened near Xtra-vision, on John Street at about 5.30 pm on Saturday.
'These people have to be stopped before they kill someone,' said mum Carrie Farrell.
'My son could have been killed. He was ruthlessly kicked and beaten until the staff at Xtra-vision came to his rescue. They saved his life,' she told the Drogheda Independent.
The 12-year-old boy is a diabetic. He and his friend who was also assaulted, have been left deeply traumatised by Saturday's events.
Jack Feehan was travelling by car through Drogheda to his home in Birr when he witnessed the assault.
'It was an appallingly vicious attack. A gang of about 10 youths appeared to move at a signal.
'They ran across the road at the boys. One child was knocked to the ground and was being kicked in the stomach while another gang member kicked him repeatedly in the head. The other child was trying to get to safety in Xtra-vision,' said a shocked Mr Feehan.
'Motorists were beeping their horns in protest but because of traffic were unable to leave their vehicles and intervene,' he added.
Ms Fisher explained her diabetic son was resting on the wall beside the roadway with his friend when he was hit on the arm with a bottle.
'When he asked the youths sitting on the grass why they threw the bottle, they came charging at the boys,' said Ms Fisher.
The terrified children 'ran for their lives' across the road but the gang caught up with them on John Street and beat them mercilessly.
The children, who don't know and can't identify their attackers, were later treated in hospital for cuts to the head and serious bruising.
As a mother Carrie Fisher fears this gang 'could kill someone if they are not stopped.'She is appealing to parents to go to the Gardaí if they have any information.
'The gang hang around the area. They are aged 16 to 18. There were lots of cars and people around at the time. Someone must know them,' she stressed.
Her son, who is due to start first year at St Joseph's secondary school in September, is now afraid to leave his home.
'It has had a terrible effect on him. He can't sleep.
He was diagnosed with serious diabetes in April and he was only just getting his confidence back when this happened,' she said.
Drogheda Gardaí are investigating the assault and examining CTTV footage from shops in the area.
- ANGELA MCCORMICK
