A man in his early 20s was in a serious condition in hospital last night after he was shot near Limerick city centre. The man, who is from the Garryowen area of the city, was targeted shortly before 6pm at Parnell Street.
As he attempted to flee following the attack by a man wearing a balaclava he collapsed nearby to the shock of rush-hour motorists.
The man was initially taken by ambulance to St John's hospital where he was stabilised by medical staff in the casualty ward.
About an hour later he was transferred to the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Dooradoyle where his condition was described, last night, as "critical but stable". It is understood the man sustained a single gunshot wound to his shoulder.
Garda sources believe the attack may have been linked to criminal elements in the city.