Gardaí were last night holding five people in custody as they continued to investigate two separate shooting attacks in Dublin early yesterday morning in which two men were injured, at least one of them seriously.
In the first attack, patrons of the Fairview Inn pub in north Dublin watched as a man armed with a handgun entered the establishment's beer garden, located at the rear of the building, at 1.40am yesterday.
The armed man singled out a 24-year-old male who was drinking in the smoking area and shot him once in the back. His attacker then made his way through the pub with the gun before making his escape
The Fairview Inn is a well-known venue for GAA fans due to its proximity to Croke Park.
It was not clear last night whether the shooting had any connection with a recent feud between rival gangs in the north Dublin area.
However, gardaí are confident that the attack was not random. It is also understood that the victim, who has not yet been named, is known to gardaí.
In a subsequent search of the area, gardaí arrested four men under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, 1939. They were being held at Clontarf and Raheny Garda stations yesterday. Gardaí have up to 72 hours to either charge or release the men.
The injured man was removed to the Mater hospital where a spokeswoman yesterday described his condition as serious. He remained in intensive care yesterday.
The scene of the attack, a seated smoking area at the back of the pub, was open to the public last night.
Customers and staff were making no comment yesterday evening.
On one website for Dublin pubs, the Fairview Inn bills itself as a "family-run establishment of long standing. We provide the ideal location to meet up before or after the big match - we're within five minutes of Croke Park and 10 minutes of Tolka Park. If you like you can stay put to watch the match in comfort."
Gardaí at Ballyfermot are also continuing to investigate the second shooting incident, which occurred on a halting site at Labre Park, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot, at 2am on Sunday.
A 30-year-old man, believed to be a member of the Traveller community, received gunshot wounds to his neck and face during the attack.
He was removed to St James's Hospital, but is understood to have discharged himself from medical care a short time later. His injuries, while serious, are not thought to be life-threatening.
A spokesman for the Garda press office said officers had preserved the scene of the attack for technical examination yesterday.
A man was subsequently arrested by gardaí yesterday afternoon. He was being held at Ballyfermot Garda station last night under Section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939.