Gardaí were last night continuing to question a man
suspected of withholding information in relation to the shooting of a six-year-old boy in Dublin last Friday night.
The child is continuing to receive treatment in hospital for wounds to his neck and shoulder and while his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening, he remains in intensive care at Our Lady’s Hospital for Children, Crumlin.
The man being questioned, who is in his mid-30s, was the intended target of the botched shooting and gardaí believe he can assist them in identifying the perpetrators.
Gardaí have urged the two men involved in the shooting to turn themselves in. They say they are satisfied they have established the identities of the two.
Forensic results
In the meantime, investigators are awaiting forensic results from material taken from the scene of the shooting at the Croftwood housing estate in Ballyfermot, in west Dublin.
The firearm used in the attack has not been located.
Door-to-door inquiries have been concluded and gardaí have spoken to people in the area about the possible reasons behind the shooting.
Due to the young age of the victim, the issue has raised serious concerns about the nature of gun crime in Ireland, articulated by the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, who said the criminals demonstrated “a callous disregard for human life”.
The shooting took place at about 10.15pm last Friday, shortly after the boy had returned to his home following a family outing.
Standing in driveway
He was standing in the driveway when two men approached, one on foot and the other on a bicycle, and opened fire.
Sources said that on realising the boy had been hit, the man on the bike fled the scene quickly while the other one appeared to be in shock at what had occurred.
Neighbours rushed to the aid of the boy, using clothing and garments in an attempt to stem the flow of blood.
Paramedics from Dublin Fire Brigade responded and administered first aid before taking him to hospital.
