A double shooting which left a man and woman fighting for their lives is believed to be connected to a dispute between a well-known criminal and dissident republicans.
The scene in Bluebell, South Dublin, where the attack occurred on Saturday afternoon, remained sealed off today as gardai conducted house-to-house inquiries.
It is believed a contact of dissident republicans got involved in a dispute with a leading Dublin-based criminal and gunmen from the North arrived in the city to issue a threat against the man.
But shooting broke out soon after they arrived at the Bernard Curtis House flat complex, injuring a 30-year-old woman in the chest and arm while a young child was present.
A short time later a man arrived at St James’s Hospital suffering from gunshot wounds and on Sunday both he and the woman were in a serious condition.
Four men in their 20s and 30s were arrested in connection with the shooting – three from the North and one from Dublin. Three of the men were released without charge this afternoon.
Gardai are trying to establish a motive for the shooting but it is believed it may have been a threatening operation that went wrong.
It is thought the man in hospital may have accidentally shot himself.
The woman is understood to be related to a dissident republican who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a notorious Dublin drug dealer.
It is not believed she has any involvement with criminality or dissident republicanism.
Gardai said: “The injured woman remains in a serious condition in hospital. The man, aged in his 30s, who presented in hospital also remains in serious condition.
“Gardai are continuing to appeal for anyone with information in relation to this incident to come forward.
“Anyone with any information should contact Kevin Street Garda station on 01 666 9400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.”
