A taxi driver was shot at least twice in the legs last night after a dispute broke out with two passengers he picked up in Dublin city centre.
The 59-year-old man picked up the two passengers who asked to be taken to Finglas in the north of the city.
When the car arrived on the Dunsoghly Drive housing estate at 8.30pm, a dispute broke out and escalated. One of the passengers produced a firearm and shot the taxi driver “at least twice” in the legs.
Shots fired
"We don't know how many shots were fired exactly," said a senior garda source.
The man was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where his injuries were described as not life-threatening.
The garda source said it appeared as though the injured party has no involvement in criminality. “He’s not known to us at the moment anyway,” he said. “It’s early days in the investigation but his name doesn’t jump out at us.”
The gardaí have spoken to the taxi driver, but would not reveal the nature of the dispute or whether it arose over the fare. These matters are still under investigation.
Appeal for witnesses
The two men fled the scene and gardaí were last night searching for them. "We're appealing to anybody who was in the area who may have witnessed this shooting or two men running from the area to come forward," said the source.
Last night it was unknown exactly what type of firearm was discharged in the incident and gardaí are awaiting ballistic information before commenting further.
The scene was sealed off for a technical examination and a more detailed search will take place this morning.
