A Ballymun man has appeared in Dublin District Court charged in connection with the shooting at a First Communion last Saturday.
Mr Peter McCann (31), an unemployed father of one child from Balcurris Road, is charged with possessing a .22 Biretta automatic pistol and seven rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life in St Joseph's Church, Ballymun.
Det Sgt Matt Murphy said that when charged the defendant replied: "I regret where it happened but I was in fear for the lives of my family."
Ms Yvonne Bambury, defending solicitor, said there was no application for bail but requested immediate medical treatment in Mountjoy Prison, as the defendant had been released from hospital only the previous day. He had a fractured skull and other injuries.
The President of the District Court, Judge Peter Smithwick, assigned free legal aid and remanded the defendant in custody to appear again in a week.