Young man dragged from bed, doused in petrol and then set alight in Cork

A young man is fighting for his life today after he was dragged from his home, doused with petrol and then set alight.

The horrific attack took place at a house in Lotamore, Mayfield, Cork city at 4am this morning.

Three men burst into 23-year-old father-of-three’s home brandishing knives and iron bars.

They dragged him from his bed before brutally beating him. Then they doused him in petrol and set him alight.

The man’s family tried desperately to put out the flames, but he suffered severe burns. He was rushed to Cork University Hospital where he is said to be in a “critical condition” this afternoon.

The three attackers fled in two separate cars, one of which was spotted by gardai who went in pursuit. However, the suspects have still not been caught.

Gardai have launched an investigation into the horrific assault. They are trying to establish if there is a link between this attack and a number of other incidents in the north Cork city area recently.

Yesterday evening a man was subjected to a savage beating with a hurley in the Blackpool area of the city.

In another incident on Friday night a mass brawl broke out, once again in Blackpool, involving two groups of men, some of whom were brandishing hammers and knifes, according to reports.