Armed gardaí raid properties in Longford as victim of drive-by shooting is discharged from hospital

Armed gardaí have raided a series of properties in Longford in connection with a drive-by shooting in the midlands town that left a pensioner in his 70s with serious injuries in hospital.

The searches, which led to no arrests, took place at a number of private residences last night as the victim was deemed well enough by medics to be discharged from hospital.

Members of the Armed Support Unit (ASU) supported by detectives and uniformed gardaí searched houses in the Shroid and Longford town area at around 8pm last night.

The downstairs living room of a house in the Springlawn area of Longford town which was the subject of a drive-by shooting on Wednesday evening.

One of those was a residence close to where the charred remains of a black BMW, which gardaí have identified as the getaway vehicle, was found on Wednesday night.

The Irish Independent understands gardaí are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry and have identified a number of key suspects who they believe carried out the shooting.

As those inquiries continue, the focus has also shifted onto a possible motive for what has been described as “attempted murder” on the home of the victim who has been described as a dedicated family man and “pure gentleman” by friends and neighbours.

One of those is believed to centre on the fallout from a funeral in the north of the county on Monday.

A number of armed gardaí outside a house on the outskirts of Longford town last night.

The Irish Independent spoke to a number of locals on the estate last night, all of whom asked for their names not to be published owing to the seriousness surrounding Wednesday night’s incident.

Those who did speak hailed their 73-year-old neighbour as a man of utmost decency and a deeply respected member of the local community.

“I saw a car and heard two shots,” said one local woman.

“I think it was a black car, but all you can do is run into the house. I’ve never seen the like of it before.

Two houses were searched by armed and uniformed gardaí in Longford last night.

A garda cordon, which had surrounded the victim’s home was lifted yesterday with two bullet holes still visible in the living room’s front window.

“He’s a very nice fella and would never harm anyone,” said another woman.

“He used to sell CDs up on the market and we always used to buy them. He’s just a lovely, lovely man and so is his wife.”

Gardaí are continuing to appeal for witnesses to come forward and assist them with their investigation.

They are especially keen to speak to anyone who was in the Springlawn area between 7:30 and 8pm on Wednesday 17 July and any road users who may have video footage.

The investigation team can be contacted at Longford Garda Station 043 335 0570, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station.

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