Gardaí believe that one of Limerick's most dangerous criminal figures may have been responsible for shooting a 19-year-old barman twice in a busy city pub.
Mr Ryan Lee, Monaleen, Limerick, was shot in the knee and groin area in a gun attack in Brannigan's pub on Mulgrave Street, Limerick, on Sunday night.
Gardaí were last night waiting to interview the victim, who underwent surgery at the Mid Western Regional Hospital.
The teenager was working in his father's pub when a gunman armed with a semi-automatic handgun entered the premises wearing a motorcycle helmet at 9.45 p.m. and opened fire.
The victim's father, Mr Steve Collins, was also shot at when he pursued the gunman, who fled the scene on a waiting motorcycle.
However, Mr Collins was not injured.
A spokeswoman for the hospital described his condition last night as "quite comfortable".
It is understood the gunman may have been refused entry to the pub earlier that night when he was involved in a dispute with the owner of the pub at around 7.45 p.m.
However, gardaí have not yet officially confirmed a motive for the attack.
A large group of women were among those enjoying Christmas festivities in the pub when the gunman returned, armed with the handgun which he fired at the owner's son.
The suspected gunman is understood to be one of Limerick's most violent criminals and linked to a notorious southside criminal gang.
He was seen fleeing the premises on the back of a large green motorbike, which was being driven by another person.
It has emerged that a similar type of motorbike was spotted outside the suspected gunman's home earlier that day.
"We are still trying to confirm a motive for the attack, but there was some type of altercation between the gunman and the owner of the premises earlier that night," said a Garda source.
"The gunman was wearing a motorcycle helmet when he entered the pub but we will be interviewing the victim and speaking to witnesses," he added.
Gardaí are also expected to examine CCTV footage from cameras in the area.