‘There was blood all over his head and mouth’ – baby left with head injuries after mum grabbed from behind while pushing pram in park

A 20-month-old baby was left with head injuries after an alleged attempted assault on his mother during their daily walk in a south Dublin suburb.

The child, who was taken to hospital due to bleeding and bruising to the head, was knocked from his pram after a male allegedly came at his mother from behind.

The incident happened at 2.30pm last ­Tuesday in Thomastown Park, Sallynoggin, Dublin.

A male passerby, who was out running at the time, apprehended a man at the scene and gardaí were called.

Gardaí say a man in his 50s was arrested and later released without charge.

The woman’s screams were heard by locals, including a retired garda, who also ran to help.

An ambulance took the woman and baby to hospital. The 24-year-old mother of one, who is understood to walk the same route with her baby every day, was left shaken by the alleged assault.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, her ­husband said she feared for her life during the attack.

“She said she just started screaming as loud as she could once he grabbed her,” he said.

“He took her by surprise, from behind, pushing the buggy to the ground in the process. We were very lucky that there were people nearby, in particular the man who was out running and came to help my wife and son.”

The man said a number of witnesses gave statements to gardaí and that his wife is helping the authorities with their investigation.

“My wife is very shaken and frightened by what happened and we are focusing on our baby son and making sure he is ok,” he said.

“They walk that route every day and it is a very public place. This happened in broad daylight. I was in work at the time.”

Her baby boy, who lost a tooth and sustained bleeding and bruising to the head, was taken to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin for treatment.

“There was blood all over his head and in his mouth,” the father said.

“He suffered a very hard knock to the head and is traumatised. He is a baby. We are thankful he is OK but the shock of seeing him like that has been very difficult to deal with.”

In a statement, gardaí said they are investigating the incident.

A spokesperson said: “Gardaí are investigating an alleged assault that occurred in Thomastown Park, Sallynoggin, Dublin, on Tuesday, July 22, at approximately 2.30pm.

“A male infant, 20 months, was injured during the incident and taken to Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) at Crumlin for treatment.

“A male, aged in his 50s, was arrested and detained. He has since been released without charge and investigations are ongoing.”