Limerick children 'lucky to escape' shotgun attack

Two young children were lucky to escape with their lives after a gunman opened fire at their home in Limerick city early today.

A six-year-old and a four-year-old child were asleep in an upstairs bedroom of the house in St Ita's Street in St Mary's Park when up to six shots were fired at their home.

The upstairs bedroom window was damaged in the attack but fortunately the children and their parents, who were in another room, escaped serious injury.

Damage was also caused to the front door, a downstairs front window and the windows of a car parked in front of the house.

It is understood a pump-action shot gun was used in the attack, which took place at 12.25am. Gardaí believe two men who were seen fleeing the scene were involved in the shooting

However, no arrests have yet been made. The scene was preserved today for technical examination and house-to-house inquries were underway.

"This was a very serious incident and the occupants of the house were lucky to escape being seriously injured if not killed," said a Garda spokesman.

While the exact motive for the attack is still being investigated, one theory being explored is that the shooting is linked to a localised feud that stems from the drugs trade in the area.

Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to contact Henry Street Garda Station on [phone].