Shooting in Banteer shocks community

A shooting in a pub in what is described as one of the most peaceful villages in Ireland has shocked the local community.

A man in his mid-30s had been attending a barbecue at the White County Inn at Banteer, Co Cork, when another man shot him in the neck with an air pistol.

Gardaí were alerted shortly after 8pm on Sunday, and when they got to the scene, they found the victim had a small neck wound.

It is understood that the gunman left the scene immediately after firing the shot.

The victim declined an offer of an ambulance to take him to hospital and instead took a taxi home.

Superintendent Pat McCarthy, who is leading the investigation, said gardaí subsequently recovered a firearm which was being forensically examined.

He said gardaí were continuing to interview people who attended the barbecue and that the “investigation was ongoing”.

As of yesterday, no arrest had been made.

County councillor John Paul O’Shea (Ind) said the shooting had shocked the local community.

“This is totally out of the norm for Banteer, which is a very peaceful area. People are absolutely shocked by what happened.

“Fortunately, the victim wasn’t seriously injured.”

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, gardaí arrested two men after a row in Cork city centre which left a man in his mid-20s unconscious.

Gardaí spotted the row on CCTV at their control room in Anglesea Street Garda Station and immediately rushed to the scene at Nano Nagle bridge on Saturday afternoon.

The injured man was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.

He was discharged yesterday following treatment.

Gardaí later arrested two men in their mid-40s.