Gardaí in Cork have begun an investigation after a 25-year-old man was seriously injured in a shooting in the city late last night.
The man suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body when a gunman fired a shot through the door of his house at O'Mahony Square in Blackpool on the city's northside at about midnight.
It is understood that the man’s injuries were not life threatening but he was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery.
Gardaí launched an investigation immediately into the shooting, which saw the gunman flee in a car though it is unclear whether he was driving himself or whether he had an accomplice.
Gardaí found a car burnt out at Kilnap on the Old Mallow Road just a few kiloemetres from the shooting 30 minutes later and they are investigating whether it may have been the getaway vehicle.
Gardaí have cordoned off both the house and the scene where the car was found and both have been declared crime scenes and Garda technical experts are due to examine both sites later today.
It is believed that the man was shot only once but gardaí are hoping that Garda ballistics experts will be able to establish what type of weapon was used in the shooting when they examine the scene.
Investigators also hope to be given permission by doctors at CUH to speak to the man later today when he is deemed fit for interview to see if he can assist them with their inquiries into the shooting.
Gardaí have also begun door-to-door inquiries in the O’Mahony Square area as well as on the Old Mallow Road to see if anyone noticed anything suspicious late last night or early this morning.
They have also begun canvassing houses and businesses premises in the Blackpool area to see if the shooting or getaway or any suspicious activity was captured on CCTV.
Gardaí say they are keeping an open mind on a motive for the shooting and have appealed for anyone with any information that can assist them to contact Mayfield Garda Station on 021-4558510.
