Teenager recovers from bullet wounds

A LIMERICK teenager was still recovering at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital last night after suffering two bullet wounds to the leg on Monday night.

Gardaí are investigating the theory that the 19-year-old youth, may have accidentally shot himself.

An automatic firearm was discharged and gardaí suspect the gun may have been in the victim’s pocket when it went off.

The incident happened at approximately 9.20pm on Shannabooley Road in the Ballynanty area of the city’s northside.

The victim was taken to the Mid-West Regional Hospital but his injury was not life-threatening. Detectives at the Limerick’s Mayorstone Garda Station are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting and have appealed for witnesses.

Several young people have been wounded in accidental shootings in Limerick in recent months.

In one incident, a girl, aged 16, was hit by a ricochet from a gun being used by a youth for target practice in Ballinacurra Weston.

The teenager was struck in the chest.

It is believed the youth had been in the front garden of a house to do some target practice while attending a party.

In another incident in St Mary’s Park, a 15-year-old boy accidentally shot himself in the leg while handling a gun.