Gardaí in Bray, Co Wicklow, are investigating an assault on a 24-year-old man and his 16-year-old sister after they were burned with acid last weekend.
Joseph Moorehouse, of Heatherwood, Bray, has told gardaí that he was attacked by a gang of more than 20 men carrying pickaxes in the Boghall Road area at approximately 11.30 last Sunday morning. He was beaten before escaping by car.
Mr Moorehouse was admitted with minor injuries to St Vincent's hospital in Dublin for treatment. He was released on Sunday afternoon.
However, later that evening, at approximately 8.30pm, the attackers arrived at Mr Moorehouse's mother's home in Heatherwood.
He has told gardaí that they kicked in the doors of the house and, using acid, attacked a 16-year-old sister of Mr Moorehouse, resulting in burns to the left side of her face.
She was admitted to the burn unit of St James's hospital for treatment and was discharged yesterday afternoon.
Mr Moorehouse was also injured in the attack, sustaining extensive acid burns to his arms. He has also since been released from hospital.
While the motive behind the attacks is not clear, Det Insp Frank Keenaghan of Bray Garda station said the matter was under investigation and they were "pursuing a definite line of inquiry".
Since the incident Garda checkpoints have been established in the town.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident, three men have appeared before Dublin District Court charged in connection with what gardaí believe was a petrol bomb attack on a Bray bar late on Sunday night.
Two of the men have been remanded in custody, while a third has been granted bail.