The shooting in the ankles of two young men in west Dublin on Monday night was being investigated as a "criminal matter," a Garda spokesperson said yesterday.
The leader of Fine Gael, Mr John Bruton, said the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, should make an immediate statement about the matter and indicate whether, in his opinion, the shooting was a punishment conducted by a group with paramilitary links.
He said the form of shooting clearly indicated that deterrence rather than death was the motive.
It would be a matter of great worry if paramilitary shootings were spreading to this jurisdiction.
The men were shot near the junction of Neilstown and Collinstown roads at about 10 p.m.
A man approached the two teenagers and fired two shots before fleeing in a stolen car. The vehicle was later abandoned.
