Gardaí are expected to talk to a family subjected to a terrifying aggravated burglary amid claims the attack was a “hate crime”. Mr Meraj, who owns a mobile phone and electrical shop in Portlaoise, suffered significant injuries in an assault, including broken ribs and a collapsed lung. It is thought that Mr Meraj, a cancer patient, developed complications over the weekend, which worsened his condition. He said he spoke to a brother of Mr Meraj after the event, and later to Mr Meraj’s wife. This wasn’t a burglary but deliberate hate crime.

Source: Irish Examiner April 04, 2019 04:52 UTC