GARDAÍ HAVE SAID the shooting at a housing estate in Stamullen, Co Meath, yesterday evening is not gangland-related and that the victim was not known to gardaí before the incident.
The victim, a man in his 30s originally from Dublin, was shot at least twice as he sat in his car in Mill Close, Stamullen, shortly after 7pm yesterday. Local gardaí and armed units attended the scene and the man was taken to hospital, where his condition today is described as serious but stable.
Speaking to reporters outside Ashbourne Garda Station today, Superintendent Jim Cannon revealed a car believed to have taken the gunman from the scene has now been discovered.
“There was an attempt made to burn the car,” he said, adding that a gun had been found inside the vehicle. Both the car and the gun are undergoing technical examination.
Cannon said the gunman was wearing a balaclava and dark overalls when he approached the victim.
The car, a blue Seat Leon with the registration 151 DL, left the scene turning left towards Stamullen village. It was found on the Bellewstown Road. Cannon said investigators are satisfied this incident is not gang-related and that it is not connected to any existing feuds. He said they are “keeping an open mind” in relation to the motive.
“This is a very quiet area, Stamullen, the victim concerned is not known to gardaí and this is what we would describe as a despicable act, where there were children present at the scene and there were other people present and this man is obviously an innocent victim,” the superintendent said.
“You can take it that people were at risk from the firing of these shots. It is very clear that the gunman in this case has no regard whatsoever to the safety of the residents of the area.”
Cannon appealed to anyone in the area who can help investigators track the movements of the blue Seat before and after the shooting to contact them at Ashbourne garda station. He said they are also looking at a possible connection with a white BMW and asked anyone who can assist with this information to get in touch on 01 8010600.
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