Afghanistan:A freelance Irish photographer working alongside American troops in Afghanistan has been wounded during what is believed to have been intensive fighting in the eastern area of the country on Sunday evening.
However, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
John D McHugh, originally from Laois and in his 30s, travelled to the country last month to work on a freelance basis.
He had previously worked for the AFP photo agency before deciding to travel to the country, where he is "embedded" with US forces.
It is believed that Mr McHugh received shrapnel wounds, with some reports suggesting that he may have been shot in the stomach during an exchange of small arms fire.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that an Irish journalist had been injured in the eastern area of the country, but declined to confirm his name.
The spokesman said the man had been evacuated to Bagram airbase. It is understood that Mr McHugh may be awaiting air transport to a US military hospital in Germany.
The DFA spokesman said the Irish Embassy in Tehran, which is accredited to Afghanistan, is available to provide consular assistance should this be requested.
However, no such request had been made as of yesterday.
Mr McHugh's most recent weblog entry from Afghanistan, which details his experiences at a "small outpost"at Kamu, is dated Friday, May 4th.