Gardai believe ongoing feud led to shooting of innocent pensioner in Longford
Shots were fired at the house and that the elderly man, who is known to the feuding sides but is not involved in the violence, was struck
Gardai believe an ongoing feud between two families led to the shooting of an innocent pensioner in Longford. A man in his 70s was rushed to hospital after he was shot in the arm at his home in Springlawn at around 7:50pm on Wednesday night.
Sources say three shots were fired at the house - and that the elderly man, who is known to the feuding sides but is not involved in the violence, was struck.
Gardai say the victim was taken to the Regional Hospital in Mullingar, where he was in a serious but stable condition. Sources say the attack came amid a known bitter feud in the area between two warring families that has been going on for a number of years - and there are now major fears of retaliation.
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A man known to the shot pensioner was himself the victim of a shooting incident a number of years ago. And sources say another man was also slashed in the stomach - in an attack connected to the dispute just weeks ago. It is understood gardai now fear revenge attacks after the innocent elderly man was shot in this callous incident.
It is understood that investigators have since discovered a burnt out car that they suspect was used by the shooters. The horrific attack occurred in broad daylight and was witnessed by many terrified locals. Speaking on RTE, local Councillor Seamus Butler said the attack was “attempted murder.”
“That was attempted murder last night here in Longford in a peaceful estate, in a good estate, and I would plead with people - do not retaliate," he said. "Take the arms out of it, it's out of character. And Longford is a safe place and will continue to be."
Cllr Butler said the incident is "totally out of character with the neighbourhood". He said: "We cannot remember the last time that a firearm was used in the vicinity, it would be years back, and it's totally out of order. We all need the resources to find the perpetrators of this and bring them to justice and take them off the streets."
Gardaí are appealing for assistance, in particular from people who were in the Springlawn area between 7.30pm and 8pm yesterday, including those with video footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact Longford Garda Station on 043 335 0570, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
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