Taoiseach slams 'horrifying' video showing teenage boy being attacked by group in Co Meath

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar has described footage showing a teenage boy in Co Meath being attacked by a group of young people as "horrific".

The video, which has been circulated online, shows a teenager in the Navan area being followed by a group of other youngsters before he is punched and kicked.

Several people in the video can be seen attacking the teen as he attempts to shield himself on the ground.

A number of people in the footage were wearing the uniform of a secondary school in the Navan area.

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The teenager has been treated in hospital for "serious facial injuries", it has been confirmed.

In a statement regarding the incident, a Gardaí spokesperson said they were investigating an assault which occurred in the Navan area on Monday at around 2.30pm.

“A male juvenile later attended Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where he received treatment for serious facial injuries.”

The spokesperson urged people not to share the footage on social media "out of respect for the victim".

“An Garda Síochána is appealing to any person with information on the assault to contact Navan Garda Station at 046 9079930," they added.

Leo Varadkar said the attack was "horrifying...and I think everyone would condemn it utterly".

The Taoiseach said: “I really want to send my solidarity out to the person who was harmed and injured in this way.

“I would say to them that life does get better. It is very sad that people experience violence and bullying in school, but life does get better and I’d say not to give up.”

The Taoiseach added: “I would first of all, really ask anyone who has information to cooperate with the Garda investigation.”

“And also I would really just say how sad I am that in this day and age we still see this kind of bullying and violence happening in our schools."