Second brother shot in attack

A MAN who was shot and wounded in a gun attack on his home in Limerick early yesterday is a brother of the victim of another recent gun attack in the city.

The victim of yesterday’s shooting has been named locally as Joe Hehir who is in his early 20s. He received at least one bullet wound to the back when a gunman opened fire on the family home at Raheen Square, Ballinacurra Weston, at around 4am. Gardaí are investigating whether the shooting was linked to reports of another gun attack in the city hours earlier.

Mr Hehir and a number of other people were in the sitting room of the house when a gunman opened fire from outside the house.

His brother Darren, 21, was shot and wounded on the night of February 13 as he walked along Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston.

He was shot in the leg and brought to the Mid-West Regional Hospital. After being treated, he discharged himself before gardaí could interview him.

Gardaí believe members of the McCarthy-Dundon gang may have been involved in that incident.

Garda forensic experts were yesterday working to ascertain the number of shots fired and the type of weapon used in the shooting. Gardaí are also trying to identify who else who was in the house when the gunman struck.

Joe Hehir underwent surgery for his injuries and his condition at the hospital was said not to be life threatening.

It is suspected that the gunman made off on foot and it is not known if Joe Hehir was the intended target.