The mother of a young Co Donegal man fighting for his life has appealed for people to keep him in their prayers.
Charles Dooher received a brutal beating when a gang of five hooded men broke into his Lifford home yesterday morning.
Charles and his father were both badly beaten at the house by the men at Coneyburrow Road close to the border with Co Tyrone at around 10.30am.
Charles, who is in his 20s, was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast for emergency surgery on a serious head injury.
His father, who is also named Charles and in his 60s, suffered less severe injuries and is being treated at Letterkenny University Hospital.
Mrs Annmarie Dooher has pleaded with family and friends to send prayers for her son’s recovery as she began a bedside vigil at her son’s hospital bed.
She pleaded with friends on social media “I am asking for prayers for my beautiful, brave son who fought of five men with steel batons who broke into our family home and left my son laying for dead.
“My poor son is fighting for his life and needs your prayers. Please pray for my son, please pray for his recovery.”
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.”
Mrs Dooher added that her son did not deserve what happened to him.
She added “My son is a good man, a strong man, a hard working man but he is still my baby. Because of these evil people, my son brave son is fragile and fighting for his life. Please, please pray for him.”
A full Garda investigation has been launched into the brutal attack.
The Dooher house on the main N15 road is still sealed off by Gardai while CCTV footage from the surrounding area has been harvested as part of the investigation.
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.
“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.”
