A WOMAN was recovering in hospital last night after being shot in the legs in the supermarket where she works.
At about 6.30pm, a man carrying the shotgun entered the Costcutter premises in Balla, about six miles from Castlebar, Co Mayo.
One shot was discharged before the man fled, abandoning the weapon in the shop as he departed.
The middle-aged woman sustained serious leg injuries, according to gardaí.
She lay on the floor until ambulance personnel arrived and she was taken to Mayo General Hospital. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Supt Peter O’Boyle said the suspect left the scene initially on foot, but may have had a vehicle parked nearby.
He said the man had been carrying “a full-length firearm”.
The scene of the shooting was being preserved last night for forensic examination.
Gardaí would not speculate on the motive for the incident. It is not known whether the gunman demanded money before he shot his victim.
Other staff and customers in the premises were traumatised by the incident. The owner of the shop, Peter Gaughan, was not available for comment last night.
A man in his 40s was arrested by gardaí in the vicinity of Balla shortly after 8pm and brought to Castlebar Garda station for questioning. The man was being held under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, which allows him to be detained for 24 hours without charge.
Balla, which has a population of about 600, is located on the N60, about halfway between Castlebar and Claremorris.
The area around the Costcutter store, which is situated on the north side of the village, was busy at the time of the incident.
Chris Mannion, a prominent local businessman, said: “I got an awful shock when I heard about the shooting. It’s just incredible.
“It’s hard to believe that something like this could happen in what is normally a peaceful, law-abiding, place.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Castlebar Garda Station at 094-9038200, or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.