Investigations continue as man shot by gardaí in stable condition

A MAN who was shot by gardaí after he entered a Cork pub brandishing a shotgun and threatened staff is in a serious but stable condition in hospital.

Anthony O’Leary, aged 23, was convicted of burglary in Cork city last year but was on temporary release when the shooting incident occurred at Mo Chúisle pub in Blarney Street in Cork city on Friday evening.

Mr O’Leary was shot sometime around 6.40pm.

The incident is being investigated by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

The Garda Regional Support Unit was called to Mo Chúisle pub after they received reports of a man entering the pub with loaded shotgun. It is understood he demanded to see the owner of the pub who was not in the bar.

Gardaí challenged the man to drop the weapon. When he refused to do so a shot was discharged by a member of the unit and the man was hospitalised with a wound to the stomach. He underwent emergency surgery at Cork University Hospital. Mr O’Leary was initially in a critical condition, but he stabilised after surgery.

It is understood the single shot fired by the member of the response unit was discharged in accordance with guidelines when the man presented as a legitimate target after failing to drop his weapon.

Gardaí are taking detailed statements from customers and pub staff and will also examine CCTV security camera footage from the area to try to determine the movements of the young man in the minutes before the shooting.

This is the second shooting incident at the pub in recent years.

On October 5, 2008, drinkers were left terrified after a gunman fired a shot into the packed pub. A motorcyclist approached the front door of the pub, warned people to stay back and then fired a sawn-off shotgun. He then sped off. No one was injured in the incident.

At the time there was speculation that the shooting was linked to the death of Anthony Hennessy, who collapsed and died outside Mo Chúisle pub in March 2008.

The inquest of the 41-year-old from Gurranabraher, Cork, heard he died of neck compression.

It is thought this latest incident is linked to the death of Mr Hennessy as Anthony O’Leary is a relative of the late father-of-four.

Anthony Hennessy had been ejected from the pub. Gardaí were called by staff at the bar prior to Mr Hennessy’s collapse.

State pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy told Cork Coroners Court Mr Hennessy died of neck compression with acute alcohol consumption as a contributory factor. A number of people were cleared at the Circuit Criminal court on charges related to Mr Hennessy’s death. Last November three men were found not guilty of reckless endangerment in connection with the death.

The pub owner, Niall Burns, from Glen Springs, Blackstone Bridge, Cork, was acquitted of a charge of endangerment in relation to Mr Hennessy’s death by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Anyone with information on the incident in Mo Chúisle pub on Friday night is asked to contact Gurranabraher Garda Station on 021 4946209.