A 17-year-old boy appeared in court in Longford on Tuesday this week charged in connection with a shooting incident that took place in Athlone on Saturday night, November 18.
The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was charged with unlawful use of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and with handling of stolen property.
The victim, a man in his 20s who is understood to be from Roscommon with some links to Athlone, was shot in the leg at around 9.40pm along Grace Park Road, near the now-demolished St Mel’s housing estate.
The injured man managed to make his way to a nearby supermarket at which time the authorities and emergency services were alerted of the incident. The man was then transfered to Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore to have his injuries treated, before he was released the following day.
Gardaí are still trying to piece together the exact chain of events take took place on the night, but know that several shots were discharged. Two juveniles were arrested over the weekend. The first juvenile appeared in court on Tuesday and the second was released without charge on Wednesday. A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP ).
Gardaí are still seeking a third man in connection with the shooting, Sgt Andrew Haran from Athlone Garda Station told the Athlone Advertiser.
Multiple searches of houses in the Athlone area have been carried out during the week, but the firearm used has still not yet been found.
The teenager was remanded on bail on the condition that he sign on at Athlone Garda Station three times per week, observe a 9pm-6am curfew, provide a contact number to Gardaí, and refrain from interfering with witnesses. He is due to appear back in court in February 2018.
Gardaí in Athlone are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything on the night of the incident to come forward with any information they might have. They have asked any witnesses to contact Athlone Garda Station on (090 ) 6492609.
