Major cross-border probe ongoing as Lifford man in fight for life after savage attack

A cross-border manhunt is underway after a Lifford man was left fighting for his life following a savage attack on Monday morning.

Charles Dooher was left for dead when he was set upon by a masked gang wielding weapons at his home on Conneyburrow Road.

Mr Dooher, who is in his mid-20s, underwent emergency life-saving surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. He was airlifted from the scene in Lifford. 

His father, Charles Dooher senior, who is in his 60s, also suffered injuries in the brutal attack. He was taken to Letterkenny University Hospital for treatment of injuries which were said to be “less serious”.

Authorities on both sides of the border are now involved in a major investigation in search of the gang-of-five.

Officers from the PSNI are conducting inquiries in Northern Ireland.

“We are assisting An Garda Síochána with enquiries in relation to an ongoing investigation,” a Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson told Donegal Live.

As Mr Dooher was left fighting for his life, his mother, Annmarie, issued a plea for prayers for her son.

“I am asking for prayers for my beautiful, brave son,” Ms Dooher 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 him “laying for dead”.

She said: “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.”

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 and the property remained behind a Garda cordon into Tuesday. 

Gardaí have issued a fresh appeal for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with any information 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.”