Six people have been injured in a shooting incident at a soccer match at Bawnogue in Clondalkin, County Dublin. Dublin Celtic and Bawnogue Boys were beginning a penalty shootout at the end of their match at Kilmahuddrick, when two masked men rode onto the pitch on a motorbike and fired four or five shots from a sawn-off shotgun. At least two players were among the injured. Four people were taken to hospital. The incident took place at 1.15pm today.
Two of the injured men, believed to be in their early 20s, were brought to Tallaght Hospital where a hospital spokeswoman says their injuries are not life-threatening. Two other men were brought to Saint James' Hospital, where they are being treated for injuries to the body. Their condition is described as stable. All were adults, but there were a number of children at the game.
Gardaí initially believed that it was an indiscriminate, random attack as it bore none of the hallmarks of "hit and run gangland shootings". However locals say the gunmen pursued one man who fled the pitch and attempted to shoot him in a nearby estate. It is thought that he may have been the target. There have been no arrests. Detective Superintendent Tony Sourke, who is heading the inquiry said this evening that the Gardaí are following various lines of inquiry. He said he hoped a clearer picture would emerge soon.
The Football Association of Ireland has condemened the shooting. FAI President Pat Quigley said he was shocked and horrified that such a serious incident could happen at a soccer match, or at any sporting fixture. The Tánaiste, Mary Harney has condemned the attack and the Minister for Sport, Jim McDaid has extended his sympathy to those injured in the attack, which he described as a reckless and outrageous assault on a local community out enjoying a game of football on a Sunday afternoon.
