An investigation has been launched after a man was shot in the shoulder during a struggle with an off-duty garda in the early hours of this morning.

The incident took place at the junction of Kingsland Parade and Portobello Road in South Dublin at approximately 2am.

A source said an off-duty officer, believed to be attached to a unit at Garda Headquarters, tackled a group of up to three people.

During the struggle an official garda firearm was discharged.

Independent.ie has learned that a man was shot in the shoulder during the incident.

A spokesman for the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) confirmed that they received a Section 102 referral following the discharge of a firearm.

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He added: "GSOC has deployed investigators to the scene."

The scene has been sealed off.

The scene at Portobello in Dublin where a shot was fired as a garda confronted a group of people at 2am. @Independent_ie pic.twitter.com/PiCwVt0Pbk — Conor Feehan (@conor_feehan) August 23, 2017

Local residents said they heard what they assume to be a garda shouting two or three warnings before hearing a gunshot.

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"We could hear shouting at around 2am and at first we thought it was some drunk people, but then we heard a voice shouting 'put your hands over your head' two or three times, and then heard a gunshot," said one neighbour.

"Then there was more shouting, like 'he's dead' and 'what have you done', and we could hear a woman screaming too. Then a garda van and an ambulance arrived," they added.

In a statement GSOC said they were seeking witnesses to the shooting.

"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 firearm was discharged and a man was injured. He is currently receiving medical attention and his injury is described as non-life-threatening.

"The incident was referred to GSOC 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'."

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone who may have information that may be of assistance to the investigation, is asked to contact GSOC on 1890 600 800.

Online Editors