Gardai investigating yesterday's shooting of an expected witness in a manslaughter case due to come to trial within the next few weeks are examining the possibility that the IRA might have been responsible.
Mr Alan Byrne was shot and wounded yesterday morning as he went to work in Vauxhall Avenue in Dublin's south inner city.
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said last night that the shooting was being investigated as "ordinary crime". He had no knowledge whether IRA, or former IRA, members were involved.
The Fine Gael spokesman for justice, Mr Jim Higgins, said he was extremely worried about the possibility of Northern-style paramilitary shootings and beatings "creeping in here".
It was unacceptable that any group should take the law into its own hands but it would be "disturbing" if any IRA involvement were proven.
Mr Byrne (27) is due to be a witness in the trial of nine men charged with the manslaughter of Mr Josie Dwyer, a heroin addict, who was beaten to death in May 1996 in Dolphin's Barn, not far from the scene of yesterday's attack.
Gardai suspect he might have been targeted by republicans because he agreed to co-operate with them in their investigations into the death of his friend.
Shortly before Mr Dwyer's death, according to gardai, there had been a meeting of the IRA in Dublin and it was decided to become increasingly involved in the anti-drugs movement and to attack suspected dealers.
It is understood that Mr Byrne had not been receiving any Garda protection although there have been previous incidents of intimidation of people who had witnessed Mr Dwyer's killing.
Within days of the Dwyer killing two families were visited by republicans in their homes and warned not to co-operate with gardai.
Mr Byrne is now receiving Garda protection in the Mater Hospital. His condition is reported to be "stable".