Man arrested over Dublin restaurant shooting

Image source, PA Media

Image caption, The attack took place as families dined out in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve
At a glance
  • A man has been arrested by Irish police after a shooting in a Dublin restaurant on Christmas Eve
  • He is being held in west Dublin
  • A man in his 20s, believed to be the gunman, died after he was injured in the attack
  • A second man is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds

A man has been arrested in relation to a gun attack at a restaurant in the Republic of Ireland on Christmas Eve.

It happened at Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street in Blanchardstown, Dublin just after 20:00 local time.

One man in his 20s, believed to be the gunman, was tackled at the scene and taken to hospital, but was pronounced dead a short time later.

A second man in his 40s was shot before being driven to hospital by a relative for treatment where he remains in critical condition.

Both victims are known to police for their involvement in organised crime, according to Irish broadcaster RT脡.

On Friday, garda铆 (Irish police) said one man has been arrested in connection to the incident and is being held at a station in west Dublin.

'Viciousness' of attack

As the attack happened on 24 December, customers screamed and ran, including parents who rushed young children from the restaurant.

Uniformed patrols by garda铆 were also stepped up in the Irish capital after the incident took place.

Garda铆 said videos of the incident and its immediate aftermath were being circulated on social media and messaging apps and have appealed to people not to further distribute them.

They also appealed to the public to be "aware of a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation which is in circulation".

On Tuesday, Ireland's justice minister condemned the viciousness of the attack which had resulted in "unimaginable human suffering this Christmas."

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar said he was "shocked" by the attack.