Man held over Limerick shooting has detention extended

A 25-year-old man remained in Garda custody in Limerick last night in connection with a shooting of a brother and sister in broad day light.

Gerard Hennessy (34) and his sister Collette, who is also in her 30s, are both recovering in hospital after being injured outside their home in Castle View, Newcastle West, Co Limerick, when a man opened fire with a shotgun.

The shooting took place at 3.30pm on Wednesday as children played nearby.

Mr Hennessy suffered a serious injury to his upper torso area and was airlifted to Cork University Hospital, after a a single shot was fired.

His sister Colette was also injured in the upper body and suffered a hand injury and was taken to University Hospital Limerick.

None of the injuries were life-threatening.

A 25-year-old man arrested in the early hours of yesterday morning remained in Newcastle West Garda station last night, where his detention period was extended.

He is being held under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for a maximum of 72 hours before he must be released or charged.

It is understood gardaí are still hunting for the gunman.

He approached the brother and sister armed with a shotgun after being driven to the housing estate in a silver-coloured 03-registration Volkswagen Passat.

Anyone with any information about the vehicle can contact gardaí at Newcastle West on (069) 20650.