Gardaí seek driver of car seen near scene of shooting attack

GARDAÍ are seeking the driver of a dark-coloured Volkswagen Golf who was seen close to where a getaway car was burnt out by a would-be assassin.

The assassin’s target, a man in his 30s, was in a stable condition in hospital yesterday after being shot in the stomach and shoulder at a house on the northside of Cork.

A senior garda said the man’s partner was in the house at the time, along with two children, aged six and three.

“They were very lucky not to have been hurt as well,” Superintendent Con Cadogan said.

The gunman, who was travelling in a dark green Mercedes and probably with an accomplice, approached a house at Kilmore Drive, Knocknaheeny, at about 9.20pm on Sunday.

Armed with a handgun and wearing dark clothing and a hoodie, he walked to the front of the house and fired two shots through the sitting room window.

The man’s partner rang an ambulance, which rushed him to Cork University Hospital where he underwent surgery.

The injured man is from the southside of Cork city and had been visiting the house at Kilmore Avenue.

A hospital spokesman said that following emergency surgery he was now in a stable condition.

About 25 minutes after the shooting, gardaí discovered the burnt-out Mercedes at Sheehan’s Lane, Monard.

The man in the dark-coloured, possibly navy, Volkswagen Golf was seen near the scene.

“We are anxious that this man comes forward so we can rule him out of our investigation. He may also have information which may be of assistance to us. He was seen there at around 9.45pm,” Supt Cadogan said.

Gardaí yesterday carried out a detailed search of the area around Sheehan’s Lane, in the hope of finding evidence which might reveal the identity of the gunman.

They were also continuing forensic tests on the house at Kilmore Road and on the burnt-out Mercedes.

Superintendent Cadogan said gardaí didn’t believe that vehicle had been stolen.

“We think it has been sold on a few times. It’s what you could call a company car,” Supt Cadogan said.

The superintendent added that gardaí were keeping an open mind on the motive for the shooting.

They believe that the gunman and an accomplice had another car waiting for them near Sheehan’s Lane.

Supt Cadogan said gardaí were appealing for anybody who may have seen the Mercedes and its occupants between 9pm and 10pm on Monday to contact Gurranabraher garda station at 021-4946200.