Shots were fired this morning at former Fianna Fáil councillor and general election candidate Ger Killally in Edenderry, Co Offaly.
The former developer was driving away from his home along with three passengers, believed to be two children and his father, when a number of shots were fired from a silver Astra saloon car with partial registration number 06-D.
Mr Killally reportedly drove for a short distance before his silver Volkswagen Passat overturned. The occupants of his car sustained minor injuries.
Gardaí in Tullamore are investigating the incident and are calling on anyone who was in the vicinity of Shean in Edenderry between 9.30am and 10.40am to contact them. They are also looking for anyone who may have seen the silver Astra.
An incident room has been established at Tullamore Garda station and they are appealing to anyone with information to contact 057-9327600, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.
Mr Killally, a former Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council and running mate of Brian Cowen, received a suspended three-year prison sentence last year after he pleaded guilty to stealing €18,000 of equipment from a shop he used to own in Rochfortbridge, Westmeath.
The bankrupt father-of-four was also handed 240 hours of community service for a fraud offence. In 2010, bankruptcy documents put his debts at more than €73 million. The following year a man was charged with stalking him.
Additional reporting: PA