A man has been arrested in connection with a serious assault on an elderly man in Dublin City Centre last night.

A man in his 70s was taken to hospital with serious head and spinal injuries after the attack at Courtney Place in Ballybough at around 2am.

He remains in a critical condition at the Mater Hospital.

Just after 2pm, Gardaí confirmed that a man in 50s has been arrested. He is being held at Mountjoy Garda Station.

Former Lord Mayor Nial Ring, a councillor in the area, said the man was returning from a local pub when he was attacked near his home.

He said he understands Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry.

“He is a man from a very well-known and well respected family, who was viciously attacked and unfortunately is in a coma in hospital at the moment,” he said.

“We are just hoping and praying that he will come through it.

“The whole area in Ballybough is in shock. Everybody knows the man – an inoffensive gentleman just going about his business.

“On a personal level and on a community level we are really devastated that this has happened.”

The scene has been preserved to allow for a technical examination.

Gardaí are calling for witnesses and anyone who can assist in the case to contact them.