A manhunt is under way for two men following an incident in which two shots were fired at a garda patrol car in north Wexford this morning.
Members of the public have been urged not to approach the men involved, but to contact the emergency services if they see them or their car.
They are believed to be travelling in a black or dark grey Skoda Fabia.
Gardaí received a report at about 8.30am this morning about a man acting suspiciously on the Craanford Road outside Gorey.
Uniformed gardaí went to the area by patrol car to investigate, but a car sped off as they approached.
It was then driven in an erratic and dangerous manner on the road between Gorey and Carnew.
The gardaí pursued the car, a blue BMW 318 (06 W 1012), but the driver fired two shots at the patrol car.
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No injuries were sustained in the incident and gardaí involved withdrew from the area.
The BMW has since been found burnt out in the townland of Banntown in north Wexford.
URGENT - Gardaí in North Wexford are urgently looking for a dark grey/black Skoda Fabia car (or similar) with two male occupants on board in the North Wexford/Gorey Town/Clogh areas. These males may have been involved in an armed incident. Call 999/ DO NOT APPROACH. pic.twitter.com/L4chjEx8EA
— Garda Info (@gardainfo) January 29, 2020
A major search operation is ongoing and an urgent appeal has been issued for information from members of the public.
Gardaí say they are trying to trace two men, who are believed to be travelling in the Skoda Fabia.
The driver, who fired the shots from the BMW, is described as 1.83m (6ft) tall and of slim build.
He was wearing a long black jacket and a hat, and had a scarf over his face.
They are also keen to speak to anyone who was travelling on the Gorey to Carnew Road between 8am and 9am this morning to contact Gorey Garda Station 053 9430690.
Members of the public have been asked not to approach the men or the car. Gardaí asked anyone with information to call 999.
Speaking at Gorey Garda Station, Superintendent Gerard McGrath said: "The illegal discharge of a firearm is a reckless act at any time but the discharge of a firearm at unarmed uniform members of An Garda Síochána responding to the public needs is an outrageous act.
"I will ensure that this criminal act is investigated fully and I appeal to any member of the public with any information, no matter how small, to call An Garda Síochána with that information to bring this dangerous culprits to justice."
