Woman burned, stabbed and beaten during attack at her Limerick flat

The woman was named locally as Simone Lee, aged 37, from Thomondgate..

She sustained "burn marks to her face, neck, and torso", Garda sources said.

Detectives were liaising with doctors treating Ms Lee at University Hospital Limerick to determine the cause of her burn injuries.

Garda sources said they could not rule out the possibility that acid may have been used, however they were also examining the possibility that boiling water may have been poured over her.

A man, aged 28, was arrested on suspicion of attacking Ms Lee, a single woman.

The suspect is being detained for questioning at Henry Street Garda Station under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

Ms Lee was found inside her first floor flat with burns marks, a stab wound in her back, and a deep cut to her head.

"She had one stab wound to her back and she had quite a severe laceration to her forehead. The guy who apparently assaulted her was still there when the emergency services arrived at the flat," said a source.

"We don't know whether the burn marks were caused by some kind of acid or by some kind of boiling water," they said.

Gardaí and the emergency service first responders discovered Ms Lee lying on the floor naked from the waist up in a pair of wet jeans.

"It looked like she was there for some time," a source said.

According to the source she was "semi conscious" and "massively hyperthermic".

Ms Lee was initially treated at the scene by paramedics and then rushed by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

"I've seen some bad injuries but these were some of the worst. There was a lot of blood," said the source.

Meanwhile, a Garda source confirmed the stabbing injury, adding that Ms Lee "received a puncture wound to her back".

"She has been sedated by doctors."

"She is in a critical but stable condition," they added.

The garda source said the arrested man is known to Ms Lee but was not residing in the flat with her.

A local woman living nearby described Ms Lee as "a nice girl".

Local Sinn Fein TD Maurice Quinlivan said he had previously attempted to help Ms Lee secure accommodation.

"I had tried to get her a house before. She seemed like a nice girl. Her mother passed away a few years ago. It's shocking," he added.

Ms Lee's townhouse flat, as well as a number of adjoining properties, and two roadway access points leading to the apartment block, will remain sealed off by Gardaí overnight pending the arrival of Garda forensic officers from the capital city who will technically examine the property Monday.

"The scene will be held overnight for the technical unit from Dublin," the Garda source explained.

Shards of glass were visible on the street outside the flat and an upstairs window was smashed. It's believed an iron board was thrown through the window at the flat.

Detectives have yet to speak to Ms Lee as she remains in a critical condition.

Gardaí said they were keen to speak to anyone with information that may help their investigation.

They are also investigating whether or not there were other persons in the house during the savage assault.

"Gardaí in Mayorstone, Limerick City are investigating a serious assault on a female in Limerick on the 26/27th November 2016. At approximately 12.40am on the 27th November, Gardaí received a report of a disturbance at a property at Hassetts Villas, Thomondgate," an official Garda statement said.

"When Gardaí entered the premises they observed a female with serious injuries to her body(possible stab wounds), an ambulance was called and the female (37 years) was taken to University Hospital Limerick, her condition is described as critical but stable.

"The scene has been preserved for a technical examination.

"Gardaí are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact Mayorstone Garda station at 061456980, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station."