Dublin Christmas horror: Man in 20s dead as gunman storms packed restaurant and opens fire
One man has died and another has been injured in a shooting incident at a restaurant in northwest Dublin on Christmas Eve.
The incident happened in a restaurant on Main Street in Blanchardstown on Sunday evening.
It is understood gardai are investigating whether the dead man was a participant in the initial attack and was tackled in the aftermath.
Gardai and emergency services were alerted to the shooting at around 8pm.
Two injured men were taken to Connolly Hospital for treatment.
The man who was fatally injured was aged in his 20s. He was pronounced dead in hospital.
Gardai have not confirmed the nature of the fatal injuries he sustained.
The second man, aged in his 40s, was treated for gunshot wounds.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
ITV dealt major blow as Christmas schedule tipped to become festive flopYou could be owed a £1,823 windfall from Vodafone, Three, EE, or O2UK weather: New Year travel chaos to ensue as Met Office warns ‘risk of gales’ and snow
He was said to be in a serious condition in hospital on Sunday evening.
The scene has been preserved for a technical examination and the services of the Office of the State Pathologist have been requested.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “shocked” to hear about the shooting at “a well known family restaurant I’ve visited many times”.
“Full Garda investigation under way. My thanks to them and solidarity to staff and customers,” he said on X.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said that the attack taking place where families had gathered was “disgusting”.
“I deplore the violence in Blanchardstown tonight.
“This viciousness has resulted in unimaginable human suffering this Christmas,” she said on Instagram.
“That anyone could perpetrate such violence as families gathered together is especially disgusting.
“I’m thinking of the bereaved, those who were at the scene and indeed all the emergency service personnel working tonight and over Christmas who have to deal with this senseless violence.
“I call on anyone with information of any kind to contact An Garda Siochana.”