As many as 20 shots may have been fired in an incident in west Dublin on Wednesday evening which left two young men hospitalised with serious injuries, gardaí confirmed last night.
The men, a 21-year-old and a 27-year-old, were walking on Clonsilla Road at around 6.15 p.m. when a black car pulled up alongside them. According to a Garda spokesman, "a large number" of shots were fired from the car, before the driver made off at speed.
A spokesman told The Irish Times: "As we understand it, a large number of bullets were discharged at the scene at Clonsilla Road. Exact details of the incident are still under investigation and we are appealing for anyone with information to come forward."
It emerged last night that both men were hit several times in the body and in the leg, but were said to be in a stable condition in James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown. A hospital source said it was unlikely that the men would be discharged within the next 24 hours. Gardaí at Blanchardstown are investigating the incident and were last night waiting to speak to the men.
A Garda spokesman said they had not yet determined whether both or either of the men were the intended victims of the shooting. The scene was preserved for technical examination and locals were being interviewed as part of the investigation.
Last month, gardaí in west Dublin set up a special crime prevention operation to target gangland criminals and car thieves in the area.
Gardaí say the extra unit is intended to monitor and disrupt the activities of serious gangland criminals to try to tackle drug-dealing and gun crime.