PEOPLE in the Springfield area of Mullingar and in Ginnell Terrace, D’Alton Park, and other residential estates close by, were shocked on Tuesday night of last week, 20 September, when shots were fired through the door of a house in the lower part of Springfield.
It is understood that at least two gunshots were directed at the door of the house at around 9.50pm to 9.55pm and that the occupants, which included two small children, were inside at the time. The door was damaged but thankfully, as the Gardai confirmed, no one was injured in the violent incident.
They confirmed that a woman and a man were in the downstairs part of the house at the time the shots were fired, with two children sleeping upstairs.
Following the shooting, after Gardai arrived at the scene, the area where the incident occurred was cordoned off for some time, as Garda investigations and forensic examinations were conducted.
There was considerable Garda activity in the area on the days following, including door to door enquiries. We understand that CCTV footage was also viewed.
The Gardai in Mullingar confirmed that on Friday last, 23 September, warrants were obtained and Gardai searched two houses in the area and that items were seized in both houses. They also confirmed on Monday that no weapon has so far been recovered.
The Gardai are still seeking information from anyone who saw anything unusual on Tuesday night in the area, but we understand they are pursuing “definite lines of enquiry” in relation to the matter.
Residents from the area who contacted Topic afterwards said it was shocking to think that a lethal weapon was used in this attack, and it left everyone in the area apprehensive about further such incidents.
“Things have reached a new low when shots are fired at someone’s house, and what we fear is that there could be further such attacks, and some innocent person might be seriously injured or worse,” one local resident told us, on condition of anonymity.
It has been suggested that the violent incident may be drugs-related.
