A PROBE is under way after a close associate of murdered gangster David Thomas was shot by an off-duty garda.

The man suffered a superficial wound to his shoulder during an incident in the Portobello area of south Dublin at around 2am yesterday.

2 Gardai at the scene yesterday Credit: RollingNews.ie

The Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission has launched an investigation into the incident.

The Irish Sun can reveal the garda — who is based with the Special Detective Unit — was on his way home early yesterday morning when he noticed a car acting suspiciously.

It’s understood the officer stopped the car and produced his ID card when he approached the vehicle.

But he was confronted by two men who were inside the car, with his weapon going off during a struggle.

We can also reveal a woman was in the motor at the time of the incident.

One local told us: “There was a lot of shouting and some kind of scuffle before a loud bang. The Gardai were on the scene in no time and it was all over very quickly.

2 Gardai have launched a probe Credit: Garrett White - The Sun Dublin

“It’s normally very quiet in this area and it’s the last thing you’d expect.”

GSOC confirmed an investigation was under way.

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A spokesman said: “GSOC is seeking witnesses to an incident in the Portobello area of Dublin. The incident, which is being investigated by GSOC, involved a garda member and three other people and happened at around 2am.

“During the course of the incident, an official Garda sidearm was discharged and a man was injured.”

The wounded man, from Finglas in the capital, was an associate of Thomas — who was shot dead by Eamon ‘The Don’ Dunne’s mob in 2009 — and has been linked to a number of burglaries in north Dublin.

He was last night being treated in hospital for a minor injury.