A MAN is recovering in hospital after he was wounded in a gun attack at the Garda Sports and Social Club in Westmanstown, near Lucan, Co Dublin, yesterday. A second man was arrested at the scene after two off-duty gardaí tackled him.
Three children were caught up in the incident and two weapons were recovered at the scene. A review of the club’s security is now likely.
Yesterday’s bizarre incident unfolded in a matter of seconds in the car park of the club at lunchtime.
Both men involved are from Moldova.
The victim drove into the car park in a Mercedes at about 1pm with his three daughters, aged 10, eight and two years. Another Moldovan man was waiting on foot in the car park of the club, which is open to gardaí and members of the public.
The man on foot approached the Mercedes and opened fire a number of times as the driver’s three children looked on. The target was wounded once in the chest but managed to get out of the car and produced a handgun.
He attempted to fire at his attacker but the weapon jammed. He then used the gun to beat his attacker.
After the shots were fired, a garda who was about to leave the club ran over to the men and identified himself. The wounded man continued to beat his attacker with the jammed firearm.
The young garda managed to kick a firearm from one the men’s hands and, with the aid of another off-duty garda, who was armed only with a hurley, both parties were subdued. The two gardaí are based in Tallaght and Ballymun stations.
Two handguns, a 9mm and .22, were found at the scene.
The wounded man was taken to Connolly hospital in Dublin. He is expected to survive.
The Moldovan men, who are in their 30s, knew each other and have been living in Leixlip and Lucan for a number of years.
Yesterday’s incident was the fourth time in four weeks that unarmed gardaí have tackled armed men. A so-called “tiger” kidnapping was foiled in Galway last week. In Dublin last month, criminals on their way to carry out two separate shootings were intercepted.
Gardaí are unsure how the man, who was on foot, got to Westmanstown. Gardaí believe he may have had an accomplice waiting in a vehicle in the car park.
The wounded man was taking his children to use the facilities at the club. Gardaí believe the other man either knew he would be there or had arranged to meet him there, before turning on him.
The backgrounds of both men are being checked with the Moldovan authorities.
The car park was sealed off yesterday and the details of all cars were taken to establish if any of them can be linked to the man who fired the shots, who is being questioned at Lucan Garda station.
The wounded man was undergoing surgery last night.
When he is well enough he will be interviewed by gardaí.