Mother Of Teen Injured In Waterford Acid Attack Calls For Witnesses To come Forward

The mother of a teenager who had a corrosive substance thrown over him during an attack in Waterford has called for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

16-year-old Tega Agberhiere sustained first degree burns to his face in the attack last Thursday. Two of his friends were also injured in the attack.

After spending four days in hospital in Waterford, Tega was this morning transferred to Cork University Hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

He has suffered burns to his face, head and neck.

This morning, his mother Christie said she has been in shock ever since the attack.

She said he is "getting better thank god" this morning - although it remains unclear if there will be long term damage to his eyesight.

16-year-old Tega Agberhiere sustained first degree burns to his face after a corrosive substance was thrown over him during an attack in Waterford

She said her son has never been in trouble and spends his time playing football for Waterford FC and Ireland under-age teams.

“He is just a normal child, you know," she said. “He loves his soccer and he loves his school. He is always busy with his training, his matches and all that.

“He has been playing soccer since he was as a young as five.

“He is popular in the community because he has been playing soccer and hurling. He is never a child that has gotten into trouble.

“He is never involved in anything, any fighting or whatever. What he does is – everybody knows – he loves his soccer.

“That is what he loves to do and apart from that he just studies.”

She called for anyone with information to come forward, adding: "We don’t this to repeat itself. We want to stay in a safe community. We want to stay in a safe Waterford. We want to stay in a safe Ireland as a whole."

Gardaí said it is understood a corrosive substance was used in a serious altercation at Earlscourt, Waterford on Thursday night.

Four youths, all male, were arrested by investigating Gardaí on Saturday.

They were later released without charge and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

Investigators are continuing to appeal for witnesses and in particular anyone who was in the Earlscourt area of Waterford at the time of the incident to contact them.