Gardaí were last night searching for a four-man gang who opened fire on a patrol car during a pursuit in west Dublin yesterday afternoon.
The four men escaped, but not before abandoning the car with a firearm and stolen property still inside.
The incident began at 2.30pm in the Citywest area when a patrol car from the Garda Traffic Corps observed a car being driven in a suspicious manner. The car, with four occupants inside, failed to comply with a direction to stop.
The vehicle was driven at speed from the scene with the patrol car chasing it.
During the brief chase, one shot was fired from the car in the direction of the patrol car. The pursuing gardaí then lost contact with the vehicle. The four men escaped and were still at large last night.
The gang's car was located in a follow-up search. The firearm used in the incident was still in the vehicle. A quantity of stolen property was also recovered.
Gardaí believe the car had been used in a burglary in which the property was stolen. The car and the weapon were undergoing forensic examination last night.
They are hopeful both may yield fingerprints and other forensic evidence.
Gardaí at Tallaght are investigating and can be contacted on 01-6666000.
