GARDAÍ HAVE been trawling through CCTV footage in a bid to identify the two gunmen behind a pub shooting in Co Meath at the weekend.
A 41-year-old man was shot and wounded by the two men who burst into McDonough’s pub in Bettystown shortly after 9.30pm on Saturday.
The victim, who was a regular in the pub, was sitting on a stool inside the door when the gunmen opened fire.
The man, who is known to gardaí, fled into the toilets but was pursued by the gunmen.
The victim was hit three times in the incident and eight bullets were fired by the men, who then ran from the scene.
The owner of the premises, Donal McDonough, was in the beer garden at the rear of the roadside pub when the attack happened.
“I heard at least four bangs, and my son Philip who was in the front bar came rushing out and told me there had been a shooting. By the time I got to the front bar the injured man had been taken from the toilet and was sitting on a chair.
“I could see he had at least one wound to his left shoulder and there was blood on his face, but he was conscious and didn’t seem too badly hurt,” said Mr McDonough.
The victim was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where his injuries were described as “non life-threatening”.
There were about 60 people on the premises at the time and the front bar was full, but none of the other customers was injured in the shooting.
Mr McDonough confirmed there was CCTV throughout the pub and it is believed the entire shooting was caught on film.
Both gunmen were wearing hooded tops with scarves cover- ing their faces and have been described as between 5ft 7in-5ft 10in, one of thin build and the other thickset.
Gardaí investigating the attack believe the shooting was linked to an ongoing Dublin gangland feud.
Local residents said they were shocked at the shooting.
“I was horrified when I heard what happened. My husband and I used to call in for a few drinks. In fact I was there on Friday night. I’m just glad I wasn’t there on Saturday,” said one woman yesterday.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of the pub in the two hours before the incident or after the shooting to contact them.
They are also anxious to speak to witnesses who were in the pub at the time or members of the public who witnessed any suspicious or unusual activity in and around Bettystown.
Witnesses are asked to contact the Garda in Laytown on 041 9813320, or the Garda confidential line on 1800 666 111.