An elderly woman is in a serious condition in hospital following an alleged assault at a house in Dundalk, Co Louth.
Gardaí responded to an incident at the house in the Glenwood Estate in the town early this afternoon.
It is understood that the elderly woman sustained head injuries and that gardaí are investigating the nature of the weapon used in the attack.
She was was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda with serious injuries.
Two other women were also injured and were taken to the Louth County Hospital in Dundalk for treatment.
A man was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained at a garda station in Co Louth.
Gardaí say investigations are ongoing.
Local TD Ruairí Ó Murchú described it as an "absolutely devastating event" for the family involved.
Of the three women who were injured, the Sinn Féin TD said "we hope they pull through, our hearts go out to them".
He said it was shocking for the community and that messages about the incident began to circulate earlier in the day.
Mr Ó Murchú commended the frontline services who responded to the incident and asked that anyone with any information to pass it on to investigating gardaí.
Additional reporting Laura Fletcher
