A young off-duty Garda is in a serious condition in hospital after he was shot in New Orleans.
Garda Brian Hanrahan, who is originally from Tipperary, but stationed at Newcastle West Garda station in Co Limerick, was shot twice during a botched mugging yesterday morning, a source confirmed.
According to the source, Garda Hanrahan, believed to be in his late 20s, was shot in the leg and torso.
One bullet went straight through one of his legs, however the other shot is believed to have caused serious injuries to internal organs.
There are unconfirmed reports he was placed in a medically induced coma by doctors overnight to aid his recovery.
He is recently married and has a one-year old baby girl.
According to a source the young Garda had been enjoying a road trip across America with his father at the time of the shooting.
"He had been travelling with his father across America on Route 66 and was due to return to work on the first week of February," the source said.
"He was in the city years ago. He's a tall lad with red hair.
"He was out doing Route 66 with his father there, and they went to New Orleans and there was some kind of mugging and he got shot twice.
"He has a wife and a kid at home, they just had a new baby.
"He was at the end of the trip as well because he was due back to work in early February.
"I think his spleen and his kidneys are in a bit of bother and the shot to the leg went straight through. I heard he was put into a medically induced coma overnight but I don't know how true that is."
"I know he got fairly knocked up," the source added.
Garda Hanrahan was described as a "well liked" member of the force and local community in Newcastle West.
"He's a uniform Garda in Newcastle West. He'd be well known in the community there. He's from Tipperary originally but he's married to a young local girl and they've a young baby. They're not too long married either."
"He has a baby girl, as far as I know, and she's just gone one years of age. He's a regular garda, working in the community doing station work, out on the car, and out on the beat."
The source added: "Everybody is absolutely shocked. He's a well-liked guy."