UPDATE: Six men wanted in connection to Ballymahon stabbing continue to be questioned by PSNI chiefs

They are being held by detectives on suspicion of grievous bodily harm after their car was stopped on the M1 close to Portadown on Tuesday afternoon following a request from gardaí.

The men, who are aged 17, 18, 19, 24, 30, 37 and 44 are also being detained in relation to a number of other offences a PSNI spokesperson informed the Leader this morning.

Among them, include wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

The men, all of whom hail from the UK, were en route to Longford town on Tuesday for an anniversary mass when a violent altercation took place on Main Street in Ballymahon.

A man in his 40s, who is believed to have been travelling in a cream coloured Mitsubishi jeep, was forced off the road before being assaulted.

Gardaí are working on the basis the man sustained at least one stab wound following that incident.

He was later taken to Mullingar's Midland Regional Hospital before being transferred to St James' Hospital in Dublin.

He has since undergone two operations as medics attempt to stabilise his condition, which continues to be described as serious by sources close to the investigation.

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