Gardaí unable to say if latest shooting feud-related

A MAN was shot in Limerick last night, the latest in a spate of violent incidents plaguing the city.

Gardaí were unable to say if the shooting of the man in his 30s on the Rathbane council housing estate was feud-related.

There were, however, unconfirmed reports that the victim of last night’s shooting was related to a man who was shot in the back at Lenihan Avenue in Prospect last week. The victim of last week’s shooting, who was thought to have been targeted by a criminal gang, made a full recovery.

Last night’s shooting happened in the busy Rathbane estate at 7.15pm. Gardaí were unable to give precise details of the incident. A garda spokesman said the man, who sustained abdomen injuries, was not critically injured and was in a stable condition at Limerick Regional Hospital.

A shotgun was thought to have been used in the attack, which may have been related to a local row among drug dealers.

This year saw the emergence of armed garda patrols on the streets of Limerick in an effort to halt the escalation of violence afflicting the city. There has been a long-running feud between the Keane and Ryan families in Limerick which has led to serious and violent incidents.

Last night’s shooting was not thought to be part of that ongoing crime gang battle.