Cork shooting linked to feud between two families

Gardaí in Cork believe the shooting of a 14-year-old boy yesterday was linked to an on-going feud between two families in the city.

The boy was hit by pellets in the back and side when a masked gunman opened fire with a shotgun outside a house on Farren Road, in the Blackpool area, at around 2pm.

However, his injuries were largely superficial.

A number of other youths escaped injury in the attack and Gardaí say they believe it was designed to frighten rather than kill.

The shooting is being linked to an on-going feud that has led to a series of incidents in the area in the past number of weeks, including another shooting last Friday night.

Reports this morning said detectives believe it was intended as a warning to a Cork family by a gang with links to a major criminal family from Co Clare.