Skip to content

Two women stabbed at house in Downpatrick

BBC Uniformed police officers and forensic investigators wearing white protective suits stand outside a house in Stream Street, Downpatrick. The house is a semi-detached or end-of-terrace bungalow. There are trees behind the houses and church with a tall spire in the distance. A liveried blue and yellow police car is parked outside the house and other vehicles are parked in the street. BBC
Police and forensic investigators examined the scene of the attack at a house in Stream Street, Downpatrick

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after two women were stabbed at a house in Downpatrick, County Down.

Police received a report that a man, armed with two knives, was attacking two women at the house on Stream Street at 08:30 GMT on Friday.

One of the women, a 35-year-old, was also assaulted in the back garden, suffering a serious knife wound to her neck and lacerations to her head and face.

The other woman, who is in her 50s, suffered stab wounds.

Insp Eamonn Campbell said: "Both women were taken to hospital, one via air ambulance and one by road.

"Whilst serious, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this time.

"Police were able to intervene and arrest a 26-year-old man on suspicion of attempted murder and other offences."

Detectives have appealed for witnesses to contact them.

Five forensic investigators dressed white protective suits search a corner of a piece of open ground beside the house on Stream Street, Downpatrick. A uniformed police officer stands guard beside them.
Forensic investigators searched adjoining land behind the house where the attack took place

Police praised for 'quick response'

SDLP MLA Colin McGrath said it was a "disturbing incident that has caused much concern in the local community".

"I commend the quick response of police and emergency services to this incident," he said.

'Unusual' for Downpatrick

Alliance Party councillor Cadogan Enright told BBC News NI that it was unusual to have such an incident in Downpatrick.

"I can't believe it," he said. "I live 100m from here and I know all these people. I know the entire street.

"These people are my neighbours. It's frightening to think that something like that could happen so close to your own home."