There is concern at the number of garda in Louth

Two men in their 20s were stabbed, including one in the head, in a Christmas Day bust-up in Tallaght.

The shocking incident unfolded at the Belgard Road halting site at about 4pm and involved more than half-a-dozen men from a number of different families.

Sources said that gardai believe the argument was alcohol related and have not established a definite motive.

While one man was stabbed in the head, another received injuries to his arm.

Neither suffered life-threatening injuries, but both were treated at Tallaght Hospital and have since been discharged.

The incident unfolded when a family from Bray, Co Wicklow, visited the site and an argument broke out.

Disorder

Gardai are aware of the incident, but no arrests have been made.

It is understood that no one has made a criminal complaint.

However, the case is being investigated as a violent disorder incident and criminal charges may still be sought.

Meanwhile, according to latest figures, there was an almost 60pc jump in the number of knife murders last year, rising from 12 in 2013 to 19 in 2014.

The figures, provided by the Central Statistics Office, represent the highest number of knife murders since 2009, when 19 people were also killed.

The CSO figures also showed a tripling in the number of murder threats involving a knife in 2014 and a doubling in car-jackings.

Online Editors