Searches continue for weapon in gangland-style shooting
SEARCHES were continuing today for the weapon used in a gangland-style shooting near Thomond Park on Friday night.
Gardai are appealing for information after a 27-year-old man sustained serious injuries when he was shot at Shanabooley Road, Ballynanty.
The shooting happened at around 10.15 on Friday night less than an hour after Thomond Park had hosted the sell-out Heineken Cup match between Munster and Northampton Saints.
The victim, who is related to members of the Collopy criminal gang, received wounds to his head and shoulder when the car he was a passenger in was shot at by a lone gunman, who approached the vehicle on foot.
Following the shooting, the female driver of the car, who is aged 20, managed to drive to the Hassett's Cross area where she alerted emergency services, who had been on duty at the rugby match.
Thousands of rugby fans were still in the vicinity of Thomond Park when the drama unfolded
"I just saw this car coming around the corner and then next thing there were flashing lights and everything," said one man.
"I didn't know what was happening but there were gardai everywhere," said another.
Other fans who were parked in the area said they had difficulties getting access to their cars as a large area was cordoned off by gardai.
The victim of the shooting was treated for his injuries at the Mid Western Regional Hospital on Friday night and a HSE spokesperson described his condition as stable.
Gardai have yet to establish a motive for the attack but detectives believe it was the first major incident linked to the city's long-running feud in 2010. "Our inquiries are ongoing, but so far there have been no arrests," said a garda spokesman this morning.
Local Sinn Fein councillor, Maurice Quinlivan was horrified by what happened.
"It shows how reckless and fearless these gangs have become. This shooting in an area literally thronged with people as the crowds attended a sell out rugby match at Thomond Park, is a truly frightening attack," he said adding. "It is evidence of the extreme and sinister level to which gangland crime in this State has progressed and the lack of fear they operate within.
"This attack has filled me with horror and demands a robust response from the Government," he said.
Gardai at Mayorstone who are investigating Friday's shooting can be contacted at (061) 456980.
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Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 23 May 2012
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