Search for raider after gun attack on family home

GARDAÍ were last night trying to track down a gunman who subjected a family to a terrifying attack at their home.

The man was one of two raiders who smashed their way into the home of Gerard and Mary Fox at Tallaght, west Dublin, late on Monday night.

The Foxs and their two adult sons reacted quickly and locked themselves into a room.

The two gunmen fired a number of shots, but were not able to get their hands on the occupants. They were forced to leave the house without any money after being disturbed by Garda sirens.

One man was apprehended by officers, while the second gunman managed to escape through a neighbour’s house.

The incident took place at 11.30pm, when the two attackers went to the Fox’s house at Virginia Heights on Blessington Road.

The men literally smashed their way into the house by ripping a door off its hinges and flinging it onto the garden.

They were masked and wore gloves and also brought a change of clothes, suggesting they were conscious of not leaving any forensic clues.

The raiders shouted and roared threats after gaining entry, firing a shot from a handgun downstairs. The quick-thinking occupants ran to a back room and locked themselves inside.

The gunmen went upstairs when they heard a noise and fired from a pump action shotgun. It’s believed they fled after they heard the sirens of approaching Garda cars.

“Gardaí were responding to a report that two men had broken into a house at that location when they spotted two men near the scene,” said a Garda spokesman.

One of the men managed to run some 270m, but was arrested on Alderwood Park. A shotgun was found nearby.

The man, aged 31, was taken to Tallaght Garda Station and detained under section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, which allows for a possible detention period of three days.

The second gunman is believed to have run to a neighbour’s house, banged on the door and shouted “they’re out to get me, they’re out to get me”.

The occupants, thinking a person was in need of help, opened the door. The man forced his way past and stormed through the house and out the back door.

Gardaí were searching for him last night. He is described as having a shaved head, a round face, is 5ft 11in in height and in his 30s. He is also thought to have injured his hand.

The Foxes were physically uninjured, but were said to be traumatised by the incident.

Garda technical experts carried out a detailed forensic and ballistics examination yesterday.

Anyone with information can telephone Tallaght Garda Station on 01-6666000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111.