An elderly man is in a critical condition following an assault in Dublin in the early hours of this morning.

An investigation is under way after the man, who is in his 70s, suffered serious head and spinal injuries in the incident, which occurred at around 2am at Courtney Place in Ballybough.

The victim had been returning on foot from a night out when he was assaulted in the stairwell of the flat complex.

He was taken to the Mater Hospital.

Gardaí preserved the scene while a technical examination was carried out this afternoon.

A man in his 50s has been arrested in connection with the incident and is being held at Mountjoy Garda Station.

Gardaí have appealed for any witnesses or anyone with information on the incident to contact Mountjoy Garda Station on on 01-6668601 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.