Off-duty garda shot in botched New Orleans mugging

A member of the Garda is in a critical condition in hospital in the United States after being shot a number of times in an attempted mugging while on holidays.

Garda Brian Hanrahan, who is based in Newcastle West, Limerick, but is originally from Tipperary, suffered spinal injuries and was also shot in the leg.

The 32-year-old married father-of-one was attacked in New Orleans just before 5.40am on Monday, though news of the shooting is only emerging now.

Police documents from New Orleans said Mr Hanrahan, who was not named in the documents, was approached by a black man armed with a gun.

“The perpetrator demanded money and the victim refused,” the documents said.

“The perpetrator shot the victim multiple times then fled. The victim was transported to hospital.”

The shooting occurred in the Seventh Ward area of the city, where Mr Hanrahan was holidaying with his father.

The men were driving across the United States and had stopped in New Orleans for a period when the shooting occurred.

Mr Hanrahan’s wife and baby are believed to be in Ireland at present.

A spokesperson for ILH Interim LSU Hospital said Mr Hanrahan is “recovering well”.