Security around the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has been increased following a gun attack on his holiday home in Lavagh, near Rooskey, Co Roscommon, last weekend. Conor Lally & Liam Horan report.
A shotgun was fired through glass double doors of the property, which is still under construction.
Sources last night described the incident as "sinister".
The intruder had gone to considerable trouble to gain access to the secure site, which is in a remote area and not easily accessed by foot. Gardaí believe that whoever fired the shot may have had the co-operation of at least one other person acting as look-out.
Gardaí were "reasonably satisfied" there was no paramilitary involvement. The incident took place on Sunday.
Nobody was present on site when the shot was fired. A security guard had been employed at the site but this arrangement ended some time ago.
Construction workers noticed the shotgun damage to the property when they arrived to start work on Monday morning. A shotgun cartridge was found in the house. The construction workers immediately contacted Mr McDowell and gardaí were also informed.
The Minister has been in contact with the gardaí in Roscommon about the incident and he has also spoken to the Commissioner, Mr Noel Conroy.
A spokeswoman for the Minister declined to comment last night. However, The Irish Times has learned that gardaí have been assigned to the house in Rooskey and that Mr McDowell's personal security detail has also been increased.
A legal dispute about planning permission for the holiday home was resolved when the High Court ruled that Roscommon County Council had acted outside its powers in denying an extension of planning permission.