Locals have expressed their horror following reports of an acid attack in South County Dublin, which left a woman with “life-changing injuries”.

The attack on the 32-year-old victim occurred on Friday night - and gardai in Blackrock are following a "definite line of enquiry".

The incident occurred after the woman - a Chinese national - left her place of work shortly after 10pm on Friday night.

She was walking in an area close to Merrion Wood and Seamount Apartments in Stillorgan.

A man - believed to be wearing a hood or balaclava - ambushed the woman, before dragging her into a nearby laneway.

He then pulled the woman to the ground and poured acid over her face, before fleeing the scene.

The woman was rushed to hospital and has been receiving treatment for her injuries over the weekend.

A source close to the investigation said the victim's injuries are "life-changing" and gardai fear she may have been left blinded by the assault.

Booterstown local Clara Rose Thornton told Independent.ie that nothing like this has ever happened before in her community.

“It’s such a shocking and very upsetting thing to have happened. I’m very surprised that a woman was attacked around here.

“I never feel unsafe walking here at night, but this recent incident is very worrying.

“The fact that this happened to a woman on her way back from work opens up a very dark slate of possibilities,” she said.

A local man revealed that he saw a lot of sirens on Friday night.

“I knew something serious must have happened, but I was really shocked and disgusted to find out that a woman was attacked with acid.

“From what I read, it sounds like a premeditated attack so hopefully the guards will have a good idea who carried it out.

“It just goes to show that violent attacks like these aren’t restricted to certain parts of Dublin,” he said.

An elderly woman, who did not want to be named, said she is now a lot more vigilant walking in her neighbourhood.

I walk around Booterstown all the time, but this incident definitely has me very concerned, especially if it was a random attack.

“I don’t know the extent of this woman’s injuries but hopefully she’ll make a full recovery.

"Hopefully the guards are taking this very seriously and will soon catch the man who did this to her,” she said.

Gardai do not believe this assault was a random attack and are following a definite line of enquiry.

Gardaí are appealing to walkers, taxi drivers, delivery drivers or any persons who were in the vicinity of the following areas ,Rosemount Terrace, Fosterbrook, Merrion Woods and Seamount Apartments between 9.30pm and 10.30pm last Friday who may have observed anything suspicious and may have information or relevance dash camera footage.

Gardaí are particularly interested in a lone male, heavy set wearing dark clothing who was in the area at the time. Members of the public can contact Blackrock Garda Station on 01-6665200, the Garda confidential line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

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