Irish men hurt in shooting in Spain

22/08/2008 - 22:44:23

Two Irishmen were injured in a gun attack in Spain, the Department of Foreign Affairs said tonight.

A third man was also hurt in the shooting in Marbella last night, although his nationality was unknown.

It is understood one of the Irishmen, a known associate of gangland boss John Gilligan, was the intended target of the lone, masked assailant.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the second Irish national was a 73-year-old innocent bystander.

Neither man is thought to have suffered life-threatening wounds but it was believed the targeted man remained in a Spanish hospital tonight under police guard.

The department said it was in contact with the family of the pensioner who was injured.

“The embassy in Madrid is providing assistance,” a spokesman said.

The third man, also believed to be a bystander, was treated for non-life threatening injuries, but his nationality had not yet been confirmed.

Gilligan, who was acquitted of the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin in 2002, is serving a 20-year drugs sentence in Portlaoise jail.


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