Get all the very latest news in Dublin straight to your email every single day Sign Up! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A quiet but scenic Dublin village has been rocked by two vicious attacks on youngsters in the space of 24 hours.

The young people of Portmarnock are now living in fear as their summers are being ruined by thugs targeting them as they try to enjoy their holidays.

On Wednesday night, a gang of 15 teenagers attacked Italian students who are currently staying in the area.

The incident happened outside the Dunnes Stores at 9pm where the visiting teens were punched, kicked and robbed by the huge group of thieves.

A host family of one of the Italian students, Francesco described their hurt of having his first impressions of Ireland being portrayed in this way.

Charles Sargent told Dublin Live: "The students always go out for a stroll around Portmarnock and go down to the beach but have strict instructions to be home by 9:30pm, which they always abide by.

"On Wednesday evening, Francesco arrived in the door at half 9 on the dot but was visibly shaken.

"The students decided to go to Dunnes Stores before going back to their houses to see if they could get bars of chocolate but the security person said that they were closed."

As Francesco and the other students went to head home, they were surrounded by a group of up to 15 youths.

He continued: "There was about ten Italian students in total so they were outnumbered. The gang were aged as young as 9-years-old up to 15 and 16.

"They started chasing them and grabbing their bags and if they put up any fight, they were physically attacked.

"Francesco tried to defend himself and stop them from taking his bag but he was punched in the face and kicked in the legs - they didn't manage to get his bag thankfully."

Charles said that this attack is giving Francesco and his friends "the wrong impression of Ireland".

"Francesco didn't want to report it to the gardai, he was afraid. But I rang them and two gardai came to our house and took a statement from him.

"They were very glad that we reported it and Malahide Garda Station are currently investigating it.

"We will be checking with Dunnes Stores to see if anything was recorded on CCTV. As well as this, we have contacted the school where they are studying to make all visiting students aware that this can happen - and I'm doing this to warn locals that it can happen to them too.

Charles highlighted the importance of making official reports of attacks to the gardai. On Tuesday evening, a 16-year-old boy was allegedly "beaten up" by a gang of 7 youths at Paddy's Hill in Portmarnock.

He added: "Gardai had been made aware of this attack at Paddy's Hill but they were only hearing it in a secondary fashion, nobody had reported the incident to them personally.

"After the Gardai left, Francesco started complaining of a pain in his leg. We had a look at it and there was severe swelling on it. It's sore but he is better today."

Charles believes that the thugs who are targeting the youngsters could possibly be "from out of town" and hitting them at a time when they know they are all together and heading home.

"I've giving Francesco a money belt. I've told him to put all his valuables in that and wear it at all times. At least, if a gang does manage to take his bag, there will be nothing of value in it.

"Portmarnock is such a lovely, scenic seaside place but there is groups that are terrorising the residents there and it's painting the place in a bad light for those visiting, like Francesco."

The incident was reported to Malahide Garda Station who are currently investigating the matter.