A MAN who was critically injured in a crossbow attack near Holyhead has been taken to a hospital in Stoke on Trent for specialist care.

Gerald Corrigan, aged 74, sustained life threatening injuries in the attack outside his home at a remote location near South Stack Road.

An appeal has been made by North Wales Police for information from persons who are involved in lamping, hunting, game or pest control in the South Stack area of Holyhead, as well as anyone else who may have any information about this incident.

Mr Corrigan’s family said: “This is a horrific incident that has happened to our family. We cannot think of anybody who may have wanted to hurt our father and dear partner. We are trying to come to terms with this shocking incident.

“If anybody has any information at all about what has happened, however small, please come forward to the police. We would like to pay tribute to the ambulance service and medical staff for the incredible work they have done. We remain hopeful and request privacy at this difficult time.”

North Wales Police had been called at 2:45am Friday April 19 by staff at Ysbyty Gwynedd stating that following a medical examination, the man had sustained injuries consistent with being shot with a crossbow.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Kearney from North Wales Police said: “The property in an extremely remote location near to the junction of Porthdafarch Road and Plas Road.

“He was outside his home as he was attempting to fix a satellite dish when he was hit. He managed to make his way into his home where the alarm was raised at 00:34hrs and colleagues from the Welsh Ambulance Service transported him to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.

“We are appealing to anybody who may have been in the vicinity of South Stack Road between 6pm yesterday evening (Thursday 18th) and 4am Friday to come forward. We are also keen on speaking to anybody who may live in or around that area and who may have private CCTV, or anybody who may have travelled along South Stack Road who may have dash cam footage.

“We are in the early stages of our investigation and are working hard to establish the circumstances behind this incident. A number of enquiries are underway involving detectives from CID, the local policing teams and Crime Scene Investigation.

"North West Wales remains one of the safest places in the UK. This is a highly unusual incident for this area and we are determined to find whoever was responsible for this as a matter of urgency.”

Anybody who may be able to assist the investigation is asked to contact officers at Llangefni CID on 101 or via the live webchat quoting reference number X052857. Contact can also be made with Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.