Lifford man left for dead after savage beating by masked gang

A Lifford man is fighting for his life after a gang of masked men savagely beat him in his home.

Charles Dooher was left for dead when he was set upon on Monday morning at his home on Conneyburrow Road.

Mr Dooher, who is in his mid-20s, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for treatment of serious injuries.

As a major Garda operation has been mounted in search of the perpetrators, members of Mr Dooher’s family are maintaining a bedside vigil.

“I am asking for prayers for my beautiful, brave son,” Annmarie Dooher, Charles’ mother, wrote on social media.

“My poor son is fighting for his life and needs your prayers. Please pray for my son please pray for his recovery.”

Ms Dooher said the gang, armed with what she said were "steel batons", broke into her home after 10am and "left my son laying for dead".

She added: “I sit here desperate with my son’s life in God’s hands. I am asking you to join your hands together for my son and pray for his recovery. Pray for his healing. Pray for my son my beautiful son my wonderful son.”

A second man, who is in his 60s, was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment of less-serious injuries.

Emergency services rushed to the scene, on the N15 road on the way into the border town, with multiple Garda units, including the Armed Response Unit, involved. 

The scene was sealed off for a technical examination.

Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to come forward.

A spokesperson said: “Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from Coneyburrow Road, Lifford, between 10am and 11am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

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“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”