Surgeons fight to save courier's leg

SURGEONS were yesterday attempting to save a van courier’s leg after raiders blasted him at point blank range with a shotgun.

Pat Dunne, 40, was ambushed by three men early yesterday in what Cork gardaí described as a vicious attack.

Although he sustained gunshot injuries to the upper leg, Mr Dunne, bleeding heavily, crawled across a field to a roadway to raise the alarm.

The abduction and robbery occurred about 5.45am on the Carrigrohane Straight on the western side of the city. The ransacked vehicle was recovered at the scene along with a burnt-out car used by the raiders.

Gardaí said there was no immediate motive for the robbery.

Preliminary inquiries, gardaí said, indicated the courier was not carrying cash.

Mr Dunne, who resides at Riverstown, Glanmire, was carrying documents for financial companies in an unmarked red commercial van.

“The documents are not likely to be of significant value to the robbers,” said Inspector Con Cadogan. “It was a vicious attack on the driver who was shot at close range.”

Mr Dunne was undergoing surgery at Cork University Hospital, where his condition was said to be stable and comfortable.

Although his injuries are not life-threatening, a family member said doctors were trying to save his leg.

His brother, Ted, who runs the courier service said: “ I can’t believe it. It was the last thing we expected.”

Mr Dunne said he had not spoken to his injured brother since he underwent surgery: “We are anxiously awaiting news from the hospital. We hope Pat will be okay.”

The courier was blocked by two vehicles at Inchagaggan Bridge, when three masked men forced him to drive in convoy to an isolated area off the Lee Road.

Gardaí said they were hoping to interview Mr Dunne today. In the meantime, they appealed for assistance from anyone travelling on the route between 5.45am and 7am who may have witnessed any suspicious activity.

Gardaí believe Mr Dunne was shot in the leg by the robbers because he was unable to give them any money. The shooting was the second in Cork in six days.

Just before midnight last Friday, a young man was attacked and shot from behind in the Blackpool area of Cork City.

The 19-year-old escaped more serious injury by fleeing into a Chinese takeaway.