A young Nigerian car washer was savagely attacked at a Tallaght garage as part of an escalation in ‘car wash wars’, Extra.ie can reveal.

The 23-year-old man sustained serious head injuries in the vicious attack and was last night in critical condition at Tallaght hospital.

Well-placed sources say that the man was attacked with iron bars and other weapons. He was washing a car shortly after 6pm on Tuesday when he was targeted.

A source said: ‘This man was attacked viciously and sustained serious head injuries. There have not yet been any arrests. There is some intelligence that this attack could have been orchestrated by other foreign criminals who operate car washes. The investigation is at an early stage.’ Gardaí in Tallaght are investigating the attack. Sources say there is ‘nothing to indicate’ the motive for the attack was robbery.

But instead ‘indications are that the violence was linked to other elements within the car wash industry.

A source said: ‘Gardaí are aware of issues within the foreign national community over “turf wars” relating to car wash facilities. It is an issue in various parts of Dublin. There are some serious car wash wars going on, simmering for several months.

‘Car washing and valeting can be a lucrative business. They provide a good service in most instances but it is a sector now being plagued and run by serious foreign criminals and gangs.

Gardaí are aware of it as a growing problem and are keeping a close eye on developments.

‘It is in no way a Nigerian issue solely in terms of threats and attacks. There is a lot of Eastern European involvement in this industry also. At present, gardaí are trying to keep a lid on the situation.’

Locals contacted gardaí after hearing ‘screams and moans’ in the vicinity of the car wash and valet service. Gardaí at Tallaght arrived quickly on the scene having been contacted.

Detectives have since been canvassing locals and are currently examining CCTV to try to identify those behind the assault.