A Dublin pub owner is in stable condition in hospital tonight after he was shot by armed raiders outside his premises in the south of the city at lunchtime.
Mr Charlie Chawke, owner of the Goat Grill, was walking towards his car in the car park of the pub in Goatstown, Dublin, when he was approached by two armed men at around 12.40 p.m.
Mr Chawke was carrying a large quantity of cash that he was bringing to the bank. He was shot in the leg and the two men made off with the cash in a red Volkswagon Polo.
A passing Garda car witnessed the incident and gave chase.
While trying to escape their pursuers, the men turned into Stillorgan Heath, a cul-de-sac, where they got out of their vehicle and fired shots at the gardaí.
They tried to make their escape on foot but after a chase the pursuing gardaí caught both men. Two firearms and a quantity of cash were recovered.
Both men were taken to Blackrock Garda Station where they are now detained under Section 30, Offences Against the State Act.
Mr Chawke was taken to St Vincent's University Hospital where he was described as being "seriously injured but stable" by a spokesman. It is believed he was operated on this afternoon.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, congratulated the "brave and professional actions" by the gardaí.
"I wish to congratulate the members of An Garda Síochána for their bravery in confronting these armed thugs and to commend them for the speedy way in which they dealt with the matter.
"Here again we have another example of the courage and dedication to duty by members of our police force of which we can be proud and grateful," he said.