Gardaí in Limerick are investigating an early-morning shooting in which a woman suffered serious gunshot wounds to the hand.
The shooting happened at around 5am yesterday in a flat at Cornmarket Villas, off Lower Gerald Griffin Street in the city centre.
The 24-year-old woman suffered serious injury to one hand and a minor injury to the other after a shot was discharged from a sawn-off shotgun.
Detectives said yesterday they were examining "all possibilities" in relation to the shooting.
One theory under investigation is that the firearm may have been accidentally discharged, although gardaí stressed they were keeping an open mind in their investigation.
The woman, who is not known to gardaí, was taken by ambulance to the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, and later transferred to Cork University Hospital.
She underwent surgery at the Cork hospital yesterday afternoon, where she was said to be in a stable condition.
Gardaí who sealed off the area around yesterday's shooting for technical examination recovered a sawn-off shotgun at the scene.
However, gardaí do not believe the incident is linked to the activities of any of the city's feuding factions.
It is understood that at least three people, including the victim, were in the house, and detectives have appealed for everyone present at the time to come forward.
Gardaí are urging anyone with information on the shooting incident to contact them at Henry Street Garda station on 061-212400.
In a separate incident, gardaí in Limerick are also investigating a vicious assault on a man in his 40s on Sunday afternoon.
The victim, who suffered a fractured jaw and head injuries, was assaulted outside a pub in the Thomondgate area.
Gardaí were examining CCTV video footage to establish who was involved in the violent assault.