Gardaí are investigating if a hit-and-run in Dublin, in which a man in his 40s received serious head injuries, is linked to a gangland feud in the city.
The victim was walking along North Cumberland Street when he was struck by a green or blue coloured Audi saloon car travelling at speed.
Witnesses allege a number of men then got out of the car and assaulted the victim.
The car then left the scene at speed in the direction of Summerhill.
The Irish Times understands gardaí are trying to establish if the incident is linked to the on-going Kinahan-Hutch feud in the city.
“A man was left badly injured following an incident close to Summerhill. The man was struck by a car at speed which then stopped and the man was further assaulted with what we believe was a bar of some sort,” a senior Garda source said.
“Witnesses say the car swerved then hit the man who was walking. The attack happened very quickly. We are now collecting CCTV footage from the area to try and identify the individuals who got out of the car,” added the source.
The victim is being treated at the Mater Hospital.
The stretch of road on North Cumberland Street where the incident took place was closed overnight and for a period early on Friday while members of the Garda technical bureau carried out a forensic examination.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact to this incident or anyone with information to them at Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8600.