A young man was shot in the buttocks after a dramatic car chase in Co Meath.
The victim in his early 20s was hospitalised after suffering the painful blast.
Sources said the man was shot after an incident in which two cars collided on the Main Street in the town of Clonee on Monday night.
Two groups of men were in each vehicle.
After the collision, the victim fled on foot from the car he was travelling in and ran in the direction of the M3 motorway.
It was then at least one gunshot was fired and the man was hit in the backside.
According to local reports, the victim may be of Eastern European nationality.
The vehicles collided at a roundabout adjacent to the Ard Cluain Apartments in the busy commuter town.
According to local sources the victim was the driver of one of the cars involved.
He and a number of passengers in the vehicle got out and scattered in different directions.
It appears that a gunman then fired a number of shots towards the victim, one of which hit him.
He managed to flee his attackers and was spotted by gardai close to the M3 motorway a short time later.
A local source said: “This was a reckless act, as any passers-by could have been caught up in this incident and injured.”
Gardai are anxious for motorists who may have dash cam footage of the incident to contact them.
A Garda spokesman confirmed a hunt is underway for the shooter.
“Gardai are investigating a shooting incident that occurred at approximately 10:25pm last night, Monday 25th May 2020 on Main Street, Clonee, Co. Meath,” a spokesman said.
“A man in his 20s was injured in the shooting and was removed to James Connolly Memorial Hospital where his injuries were described as non-life threatening.
“The scene was preserved for a technical examination.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room in Ashbourne Garda Station on 01 801 0600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.
“No arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing.”
