UPDATED:
Gardaí have issued an appeal for witnesses after a six-year-old boy was shot in the neck in Ballyfermot last night.
*A man in his 30's has been arrested in connection with a shooting in Dublin that has left a six-year-old boy in a serious condition.
The child remains at Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin this evening where he is being treated for his injuries following the attack at a house in Ballyfermot on Friday night.
The boy is not believed to have been the intended target of this shooting, but sustained gunshot wounds to his neck.
The man arrested this afternoon is being held at Ballyfermot Garda station where he can be questioned for up to 72 hours.
---------------The boy is in a stable and non life-threatening condition.
The boy was taken to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin, where he is being treated for his injuries.
The firearm used in the incident has not been found, gardaí believe it may be a pellet gun.
It is believed that the boy was not the intended target and that gardaí have a definite line of inquiry.
Gardaí administered first aid on the child until the arrival of the ambulance.
The boy, who was conscious at the time, was taken to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin.
An appeal has been made for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Ballyfermot Garda Station.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has condemned the shooting as "barbaric".
She said: "I share the shock of the community in Ballyfermot at the appalling shooting of a child last night.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone will be for the recovery of the child.
"Acting Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan has assured me that the Ggrdaí are making significant progress with their inquiries and that they are determined to bring to justice those involved in perpetrating this dreadful incident."
*Gardaí in Ballyfermot have identified a “suspect or suspects” in their investigations into a shooting incident last night in which a six year-old boy was injured.
----------*Gardaí in Ballyfermot have identified a “suspect or suspects” in their investigations into a shooting incident last night in which a six year-old boy was injured.
The incident occurred at about 10.15 pm in the Croftwood Gardens area of Ballyfermot, west Dublin.
Sources say two men were involved, both on bicycles when they approached a green area where a number of children were out playing.
One fired a shot, intended it is believed for the other man, but hit the child.
Witnesses said the shooter remained at the scene for a number of minutes after the incident, apparently in a state of confusion, while the other fled.
They say the boy, who had been shot in the neck or collar area, remained conscious in a state of shock on the ground.
Paramedics from Dublin Fire Brigade administered first aid before moving him to Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin, where he remains.
His injuries are said to be not life-threatening and his condition stable.
At a press-briefing in Ballyfermot Garda station this afternoon, Superintendant Paul Moran of the Garda press office said the force was receiving “considerable assistance from the community”.
He stressed the incident had happened less than 24 hours previously and it was “early days”.
The shooting of a child was “very unusual” he added. “Any gun crime is very, very serious. It’s even more traumatic when it involves a child.”
A Garda liaison officer has been appointed to support the family during the investigation.
Supdt Moran said there was no link between this incident and organised gang crime and he urged those involved to come forward.
Gardaí could be seen carrying out door-to-door interviews around the green at Croftwood Gardens this morning, while members of the Garda technical bureau examined a large area cordoned off with Garda tape.
A weapon has not been found and Supdt Moran would not comment on speculation that a pellet gun had been used.
“We have to establish the type of firearm or the type of ammunition that was used,” he said. .
Witnesses who spoke to The Irish Times said there were “at least ten or twelve children” playing on the green when the shooting took place.
“These two fellas came in who were chasing each other when there was a bang and the little fella hit the ground,” said Stephen Smith, a neighbour.
“I so some hunting and I know a a bit about guns. There’s a sound when a bullet hits. It’s indescribable, like a silent thud. The kids all scattered roaring crying and the little lad just lay there, totally silent. Everyone thought he was dead. He was in a state of shock.
“The lad who shot him was going round in circles with his hands on his head for about 15 seconds, like ‘What have I done?’ Then he went off, still holding the gun. Then the child’s ma came out screaming and everyone was on their phones calling 999.”
Local parish priest, Gerry O’Connor, said the community was “speechless”.
“Everyone was out on a beautiful summer’s evening and it was over before it even began. Nobody is prepared for moments like this. Everyone is just speechless. People are bewildered. Children should never have to experience violence,” he said.
He said the boy attended St Ultan’s primary school, Cherry Orchard, and that all support would be offered to his class-mates, many of who would be frightened by what had happened.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has condemned the shooting as “barbaric”.
“I share the shock of the community in Ballyfermot at the appalling shooting of a child last night. The thoughts and prayers of everyone will be for the recovery of the child,” she said.
“Acting Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan has assured me that the Gardaí are making significant progress with their inquiries and that they are determined to bring to justice those involved in perpetrating this dreadful incident.”
Local Fianna Fáil Councillor Daithí de Róiste has called for an urgent meeting with the Minister following the incident.
“ I believe we need extra garda resources in Ballyfermot and across west Dublin,” he said.
Cllr de Róiste said residents in Ballyfermot were becoming increasingly anxious about their safety following a recent spate of gun attacks in the area and the fact nothing is being done about it.
“We are witnessing a serious escalation of gun crime in Ballyfermot, Inchicore, Drimnagh and across west Dublin. In addition to the countless shootings in recent weeks, Gardaí and now investigating how a young child was the poor victim of such a heinous crime” he said.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact gardai at (01) 6667200 or any other station. *It is understood the six-year-old - who is in a serious but stable condition in hospital - was standing in the hallway of a house last night when two men approached the front door.
The men knocked on the door but it was already open and they pushed it fully open.
They fired into the hallway and the boy was hit in the neck, either directly or by a ricochet.
The child’s uncle was also in the house at the time.
The incident occured at approximately 10.15pm in the Croftwood area of Ballyfermot.
The emergency services rushed to the scene to treat the child before bringing him to hospital.
A Garda source confirmed he was not alone at the time.
Locals said there was “pandemonium” in the area.
A source involved in the investigation said the child was “conscious and breathing” when the emergency services arrived.
“He was awake throughout the ambulance journey.”
He is in a serious but stable condition in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin.
Gardai sealed off the street pending a forensic examination by members of the garda technical bureau.
“I heard a bang, I thought someone had smashed my window,” a local woman said.
“I came out and everyone was screaming. I stared throwing towels out to people who were helping him to stop the bleeding.
“I couldn’t look, it was horrible. He looked so small and scared. His glasses were up at his forehead.”
Large crowds have gathered in the south west Dublin housing estate.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with detail to contact the Garda Confidential Line: 1 800 666 111
-------------------
A six-year-old boy was rushed to hospital last night after receiving a gunshot wound to the neck in a Dublin housing estate. Details surrounding the incident were unclear in the immediate aftermath last night but it is understood one line of inquiry is that the child may have found the firearm in the area and had been playing with it. That possibility, however, has yet to be confirmed.
The incident took place at an estate called Croftwood Gardens in Ballyfermot at about 10.15pm.
Although it was too soon after he was shot to verify his condition, a source said he was conscious and breathing at the scene before being taken to hospital.
Emergency services were contacted and scrambled to the scene where a large number of people had gathered. Two units of Dublin Fire Brigade and an ambulance administered first aid before rushing the boy to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin.
A source said the incident happened outside a house in the area but it was not clear as to whether it was the boy’s home.
Local Sinn Féin councillor Daithi Doolan said there was conflicting versions of what occurred but he said one was that the boy had stumbled upon a hidden weapon.
PHOTO: (left) Local SF Councillor Daithi Doolan with Larry O'Toole TD at the RDS Dublin Ballsbridge count centre during the recent elections:
“Somebody obviously put the gun there. A child finds it and does that. It’s absolutely inexcusable; you can’t justify people hiding guns like that,” he said.
“Tonight people are shocked, angry and afraid. Nobody can try and put an excuse forward for this.”
Gardaí had sealed the area off for a forensic examination and investigations into the circumstances of the shooting were ongoing. No arrests were reported.
Anyone with information or who witnessed the incident is asked to contact gardai at (01) 6667200 or any other station. www.garda.ie
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