Gardaí are searching for two gunmen involved in the shooting of an unarmed motorcycle traffic garda in Dublin this morning.
34-year-old Paul Sherlock, a married man with two young children, was shot once in the stomach after he pursued and pulled over a stolen car while on traffic duty on the Ossory Road at around 9.10am.
He was taken to the Mater Hospital where his condition is described as stable.
Chief Superintendent Michael Feahan, who is leading the investigation, said Garda Sherlock was shot at close range with a shotgun by a passenger of the car who was wearing a fluorescent jacket.
The two gunmen were in a silver Nissan Almera which was stolen last May. The car was subsequently abandoned and gardaí believe the suspects then transferred to a white van.
The car was later recovered on St Barnabas Road. The area remains been sealed off and gardaí set up a check point at the East-Link Bridge.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who was in the vicinity of North Strand or Ossory Road between 6am and 9am, or who saw a white van leave St Barnabas Gardens, to contact them.
They are also interested in speaking to anyone with information on the stolen Nissan Almera (reg. no. 02-D-68111).
An incident room has been se up at Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station and gardaí can be contacted on 01-6668454.
President Mary McAleese led condemnation of the shooting this morning.
Ms McAleese extended her hopes for the full and swift recovery of the officer and praised the bravery gardaí demonstrate in such circumstances.
While Minister for Justice Brian Lenihan said he was appalled at the incident, saying it was a stark reminder of the dangers faced by members of the gardaí.
The Garda Representative Association called it a callous, cowardly and despicable act.
