GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING a gun attack that has left a man fighting for his life are examining two shotguns and discarded clothing that were found close to the scene of the attack in Co Wicklow.
The weapons are being examined by Garda ballistics experts. Garda sources said it was too early to say if the guns and the clothing are linked to the attack in the early hours of yesterday morning in Bray, Co Wicklow.
The guns were found at St Peter’s Cemetery in Bray.
The injured man, who is from Bordeaux, France, was in bed in an apartment he shared with his partner at Richmond Hill, Bray, when the attack took place just after 1am yesterday.
The 32-year-old heard somebody outside his second-floor apartment and went to investigate. When he looked out his bedroom window a man standing on an external stairway discharged shots from a shotgun.
The victim was wounded in the upper body and face and fell back on to his bed. The injured man’s partner, who was in the bed at the time, did not wake up. However, neighbours heard the shots and alerted gardaí.
When officers arrived at the apartment they forced their way in and found the man injured and lying on the bed beside his partner, who was still sleeping.
The injured man was taken by ambulance to Loughlinstown hospital. He was later transferred to Beaumont Hospital on the north side of the city.
He is on a life-support machine. His family has been informed as to the seriousness of his condition.Garda sources said the victim is not known to them. However, he is very close to a relative of a significant drug dealer based in the Bray area.
Gardaí are investigating if the French national’s shooting could in any way be linked to the activities of the gang led by the Bray drug dealer.
Members of the gang were arrested for questioning about the murder of Seamus O’Byrne (27), from Drimnagh, Dublin, who was shot dead outside a house in Tallaght, Dublin, in March.
Garda sources said they could not rule out the possibility that those who shot the French man may have targeted him to indirectly “get at” the Bray gang. The same sources said it was also possible the French man was not the intended target.
Local people who heard the gunshots have told gardaí two men carried out the attack.
One of the men was wearing a blue baseball cap, a black jacket, light-grey tracksuit bottoms and white runners. He had his face covered and is described as being of average build.
The other man wore a black top which was possibly a hoody, black -tracksuit bottoms, black shoes and was described as being of average build and height. Gardaí have confirmed a shotgun was used.
Members of the Garda Technical Bureau carried out a full examination inside and outside the apartment yesterday.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Bray Garda station on (01) 666 5300 or to ring the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.