Doctors this morning feared for the life of a garda who was stabbed after responding to an emergency call at a house in north Dublin last night.
Garda Dave Comar was stabbed in the back and chest when he was attacked by up to three men, in the house on Main Street, Raheny at 11.30pm. He was saved by his colleague Garda James Hendricks who also suffered at least one stab wound, gardaí said.
Garda Comar, who was stabbed in the back and chest, was moved to the city's Mater Hospital from Beaumont Hospital, where the two officers were taken after the attacks.
Garda Hendricks suffered superficial injuries to his arm and chest and is expected to be released this afternoon.
However, Garda Comar suffered severe blood loss and doctors feared for his life as he bled internally. He was moved to the Mater, where his condition is now described as "serious but stable".
Gardaí revealed at a press conference today that the officers were stabbed with a blunt instrument, possibly a screwdriver. However, other weapons, including knives and meat cleavers, were recovered from the scene.
It is understood Garda Comar went into the house shortly after 11.30pm last night after the gardaí responded to reports of a disturbance from a member of the public.
Once inside, he was attacked by a number of hooded men - possibly three - but was dragged out of the house to safety by his colleague. Two male and two female tenants were also in the house at the time.
Two ambulances and three Garda cars were called to house, and the Garda helicopter and the dog unit were also involved.
Two Chinese nationals were arrested, one immediately after the attack and the other at about 12.45am. They had tried to escape through the back gardens of adjoining houses.
Supt Conneely has asked members of the public who saw "anything suspicious involving members of the Chinese community" in the Raheny area between 11pm last night and 12.45am to contact Raheny Garda Station on 01-6664380.
Garda Comar is originally from Co Galway, Garda Hendricks from Cork. Both are stationed at Howth Garda Station.
Labour Party TD Tommy Broughan said last night's events reflected the prevelance of knife culture in the capital and called on Garda authorities to review proceedures for handling repsonses to call-outs.
Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keefe called for protective vests to be issued to all members of the Garda as standard issue.
Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said issuing officers with stab-proof vests was a matter for Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy but he ruled out allowing officers on the beat to carry firearms.
"The unique relationship between the police forces on these islands, and the people that they police, depends in large measure on the proposition that they don't carry firearms," he said. "But I do believe that they should be properly equipped."