Sunday evening shooting in Tullamore took place in front of 7-year-old boy
A shooting incident in Tullamore that took place in front of a seven-year-old child and led to a 31-year-old man and his 26-year-old partner being hospitalised has been described by Inspector Kieran Keyes as a 'wreckless, cowardly attack on a man going about his daily business'.
The incident took place in the Cluain Darach estate on the Daingean Road in Tullamore at approximately 7pm yesterday (Sunday).
According to Inspector Keyes a gunman fired a number of shots and hit a 31-year-old man in the upper body as he returned to his home in the estate. The victim's 26-year-old partner was also hit in the shoulder in the incident that took place in front of a seven-year-old boy.
After the attack the gunman fled the scene in a BMW that was later found burnt out in Durrow.
Both the male and female victims remain in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
'The perpetrator has no regard for life or public safety,' Inspector Keyes said this morning.
The scene of the shooting has been preserved and is being examined by the Garda Technical Bureau.
Inspector Keyes is appealing for anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the area between 6.30pm and 7.30pm yesterday to contact local gardai on 057 9327600.
Information is also being sought on the movement of the BMW car used as a getaway vehicle both before and after the shooting. According to Inspector Keyes the car was brightly coloured, possibly silver. Anyone with information on its movement should also contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 9327600.
A man was arrested in connection with the incident early this morning under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. He's currently being held at Tullamore Garda Station and can be detained for up to 24 hours.
Update (Tuesday, December 10):
A man in his early 20s who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident in Tullamore on December 8 was released without charge on Monday night, December 9. A file is now to be prepared for the information of the Director of Public Prosecutions.