A woman was holding an eight-month-old baby when she, the child and a boy (17) were injured in a west Dublin shooting.
A car drove into a Traveller housing site at Parslickstown Gardens, Mulhuddart, Dublin, on Monday afternoon, and an individual fired a shotgun at residents who were standing near a garden at the site.
The woman (29) was holding the infant when they were shot at and the small child was hit in its side by a number of the shotgun pellets.
The three victims later received treatment in hospital.
"Their condition is not life threatening," said Supt Liam Carolan from Blanchardstown Garda station, who outlined details of the incident at a briefing.
One man was arrested by gardaí on suspicion of possession of ammunition, and is being detained at Blanchardstown Garda station.
Gardaí responded to a call following the shooting at approx 12.30pm.
“On arrival they discovered a 17-year-old male, who was suffering from gunshot wounds, a female approximately 29 years of age – she was holding an infant, an eight-month old infant, who also received gunshot wounds” Supt Carolan said.
Feud
It is understood the incident relates to a feud within the Traveller community involving a family living on the site, which has been ongoing for the last two years.
Arthur Collins, the father of the teenager, said he discovered Mathew in the yard after he had been shot.
“I seen my son on the ground, the blood pumping out of him. I was trying to put a towel on him, and was phoning the ambulance … he was unconscious,” Mr Collins said.
Mr Collins said the teenager received gunshot wounds to his lower stomach and legs. He said the shooting was “all over a dispute that happened two or three years ago, but we thought it was all over”.
‘Lowest of the low’
Speaking at the entrance to the site Mr Collins said the shooting “has to be the lowest of the low”.
Gardaí believe the shotgun was fired at the two individuals and the baby at close range, due to the injuries sustained from the shotgun pellets. A full crime-scene examination took place on Monday, and gardaí said the investigation was in the early stages.
Supt Carolan said “there is a quite volatile situation” around the incident. He confirmed “there are issues currently going on in the background”.
He appealed to members of the public who may have witnessed a car driving at high speed, or any suspicious or unusual behaviour in the Parslickstown area on Monday afternoon, to contact Blanchardstown Garda station.
