Former Fianna Fáil councillor and election candidate Ger Killally has been injured in a car crash after shots were fired at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly.

The shots were fired as Mr Killally was leaving his home in his car.

The car overturned after he collided with a ditch a short distance away.

Mr Killally, his father and children - a two-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, sustained minor injuries when the car overturned.

Mr Killally ran alongside former Taoiseach Brian Cowen in the 2002 general election.

He has appeared before the civil courts in relation to a number of business and development deals.

Gardaí in Tullamore have appealed to anyone who was in the vicinity of Shean between 9.30am and 10.40am, and who may have witnessed anything, to contact them at Tullamore Garda Station on 057-9327600.

They particularly wish to speak to anyone who observed a silver Astra car with the partial registration 06-D in the vicinity of Shean this morning.

A number of roads around Edenderry have been sealed off and two roads to Mr Killally's home have also been closed.

A forensic examination of the scene is under way.