Gardaí recover bike used in shooting

Gardaí investigating the savage attack on a man who was shot in the head while driving through inner-city Dublin have recovered the getaway motorbike used in the assault.

Officers said they retrieved the vehicle yesterday, near where the shooting took place, but are still hunting for the suspects.

Gerard O’Neill, a 33-year-old from Sheriff St Lower, who is known to gardaí, was attacked by two gunmen while driving along Seville Place just after 9.15pm on Tuesday.

He was shot a number of times, including in the back of the head, while attempting to flee the scene in his silver C reg 2004 Mercedes.

Despite the seriousness of the assault, Mr O’Neill was able to drive his car the short distance to Store St Garda Station.

He told gardaí he had been shot and received life-saving medical attention from ambulance personnel, before being rushed to the Mater Hospital where he is in a stable condition.

He previously survived a similar attack in May 2012, when he was shot in the chest and arm while parked behind Ruby Finnegan’s pub in Ballyfermot, south west Dublin.

Garda sources said the victim of the latest assault was not yet in a position to make a complaint over the incident.

However, medical personnel who treated the 33-year-old said that he declined to provide any information over who may have been behind the shooting.

The attack is the latest in a string of fatal and near fatal shootings in Dublin’s inner city in recent years, the majority of which have been sparked by the ongoing feud between gangs in Crumlin and Drimnagh.

An increased Garda presence was apparent in parts of the city yesterday morning, while investigating officers cordoned off the area where the attack occurred.

Delays were also apparent on the Red Luas line as Mr O’Neill had abandoned his car on the tracks.

Gardaí have yet to formally interview the injured man and have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

Supt Sean Ward said anyone who may have been in the Sheriff St, Amiens St or Store St area at the time of incident, or anyone who may have seen either of the vehicles involved, to come forward immediately.

They are asked to contact Store St station on 01 6668000, the Garda confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

No stranger to miraculous escapes

The victim of Tuesday night’s near-death shooting in inner city Dublin is no stranger to miraculous escapes.

Gerard O’Neill, survived a similar incident last year from which he was just as lucky to recover.

In May 2012, he was targeted in another shooting while parked behind Ruby Finnegan’s pub in Ballyfermot.

It is understood he was approached by a man in a red hoodie who shot him at close range in the chest and arm.

Mr O’Neill managed to speed away and sought medical attention at the nearby Cloverhill prison complex.

He was taken to Tallaght Hospital where he subsequently recovered.

A burned-out Audi, which is believed to have been the getaway vehicle, was later found in Inchicore.

A man was arrested last summer in connection with the initial incident, and a file was sent to the DPP late last year.

However, to date there has been no further action in relation to the May 2012 assault.