A MAN HAS been shot by a garda during an incident near Foynes, county Limerick.

The man in his 30s was shot in the face during a planned garda operation at around 2.30am this morning.

Emergency services attended the scene and the man was taken by ambulance to hospital, where his condition this morning is described as stable.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) said the incident has been referred to its office under section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for independent investigation of “any matter that appears to indicate that the conduct of a member of the Garda Síochána may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person”.

GSOC investigators are now at the scene the scene and an investigation is ongoing.