Shootings thought to be part of an ongoing feud

GARDAÍ in Limerick are investigating a possible link between two shooting incidents in the Moyross area within three days, it emerged yesterday.

Two men, one aged 18 and the other in his 20s, are being detained under the Offences Against the State Act, after a man was shot in the back and the leg in broad daylight at around 2pm on Saturday.

The victim, Wayne Waters, aged 24, of Craeval Park, Moyross, was walking along College Avenue when he was attacked by a lone gunman and shot in the back. According to gardaí, the injured man managed to run to a house in nearby Cliona Park.

He was followed by the gunman, who fired through the front door and hit him again, in the leg.

The victim is described as "comfortable" by staff at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital.

This latest shooting comes in the wake of another incident on Thursday night, when 30-year-old Joseph "Dodo" McCarthy was shot at point-blank range in the chest.

Two men forced their way into a house at Craeval Park after 10pm and shot Mr McCarthy in front of a horrified woman and her children. His condition is described as stable.

Gardaí under Detective Sergeant Jim Ryan of Mayorstone Garda Station who is leading the investigation into Saturday's shooting have recovered a shot gun, which is being examined by forensic experts.

Gardaí confirmed last night that two men are expected to appear at a special sitting of Limerick District Court today in connection with the recovery of a shot gun following Saturday's shooting. Although the shootings are not thought to be connected with the ongoing feud in Limerick's north side, gardaí believe they are part of a dispute in the Moyross area.