Gardaí continue to question two in Bunratty shooting investigation

A man shot several times at a family wedding reception remains in a critical condition.

Two suspects arrested over the gang-related shooting of 21-year-old Robert Sheehan are being questioned by detectives as the victim fights for his life.

The victim was shot in the head and upper body about five times in the attack at Bunratty Castle Hotel in Co Clare.

Gardaí said the shooting occurred in the grounds of the hotel at about 4am on Sunday when Sheehan went outside for a cigarette.

A gun was recovered near the scene.

Gardai said two men involved in the shooting were seen fleeing in a black car which had been waiting in the hotel grounds.

It is understood the victim was approached and shot several times at close range.

In a follow-up operation, two suspects, both in their 20s, were detained in Cork city several hours after the attack.

The men were being questioned at Mayfield and Gurranabraher Garda stations in the city under section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The pair can be held for seven days under the legislation introduced in 2007, in part, for the investigation of gun murders and organised crime.

The injured man was taken to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick in a critical condition.

Forensic examinations took place in and around the hotel grounds throughout the day and an incident room has been based at Shannon Garda station.

It is understood Sheehan was attending a family wedding at the hotel when he was attacked.

He is from the Moyross area of Limerick.

The incident is being treated as gang-related by local detectives and is believed to have centred on a row which escalated in recent weeks.