Gardaí step up armed patrols in Dublin after Christmas Eve restaurant shooting
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA
Gardai have stepped up uniformed patrols in Dublin after a shooting incident at a restaurant on Christmas Eve.
A man aged in his 20s died and a man in his 40s is receiving treatment for gunshot wounds after the incident at Browne’s Steakhouse in Blanchardstown at 8pm on Sunday. The restaurant was packed with people, including families, having a Christmas Eve meal.
The man in his 40s remains in a serious condition in Connolly Hospital.
It is understood gardaí are investigating whether the dead man was a participant in the initial attack and was tackled in the aftermath.
The Taoiseach said he was shocked by the incident, while the Minister for Justice condemned the violence as “disgusting”.
Uniform patrols in the Dublin Region, with support from armed patrols including the Garda Armed Support Unit, have been increased in response.
Gardaí have also appealed to the public not to share videos from the scene in the aftermath of the violent incident, and to be aware of “a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation”.
Shocked to hear about the shooting today in Blanchardstown in a well known family restaurant I’ve visited many times.
Full Garda investigation underway. My thanks to them and solidarity to staff and customers.— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) December 25, 2023
The scene remains preserved as a technical examination is carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau.
The State Pathologist is to carry out a post-mortem examination of the dead man on Tuesday at the City Morgue in Whitehall.
Gardaí said no arrests have been made so far.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he was “shocked” to hear about the shooting at “a well known family restaurant I’ve visited many times”.
“Full Garda investigation under way. My thanks to them and solidarity to staff and customers,” he said on X.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said the attack taking place where families had gathered was “disgusting”.
“I deplore the violence in Blanchardstown tonight.
“This viciousness has resulted in unimaginable human suffering this Christmas,” she said on Instagram.
“That anyone could perpetrate such violence as families gathered together is especially disgusting.
“I’m thinking of the bereaved, those who were at the scene and indeed all the emergency service personnel working tonight and over Christmas who have to deal with this senseless violence.
“I call on anyone with information of any kind to contact An Garda Síochána.”
An incident room has been established at Blanchardstown Garda Station and the investigation is being led by a Senior Investigating Officer (SIO).
The Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation is also providing assistance and a Garda Family Liaison Officer has been appointed to both families.
“An Garda Síochána is aware of videos of the incident and immediate aftermath which are in circulation on social media and messaging apps,” gardaí said in a statement.
“We are appealing to the public for these videos not to be further distributed.
“We are also appealing to the public to be aware of a significant level of speculation, misinformation and disinformation which is in circulation.”
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact gardaí.
