Irish boy, six, fighting for his life after being shot in the neck by assassin

A six-year-old boy is fighting for his life after being shot in a housing estate in Dublin. 

The youngster was hit following the incident in Ballyfermot in the south west of the city at 10.15pm. 

The boy, who has not yet been named, is understood to have been shot in the neck.

Dublin Fire Brigade stabilised he boy at the scene before taking him to Crumlin Children's Hospital for emergency surgery. 

The child is believed to have been hit by mistake in a botched gangland hit. It is understood the gunman escaped on a bicycle. 

Gardai have secured the scene of the shooting in Croftwood Gardens, Ballyfermot and are preparing to launch a full forensic investigation of the scene. 

It is understood that the child was shot by mistake. 

Local Sinn Fein councillor Daithi Doolan told Mail Online: 'This is absolutely shocking. My thoughts and prayers are with this young boy and his family.

'I would urge anyone who has any information about this shooting to come forward to gardai.' 

Cllr Doolan said residents in the area have recently been complaining about joyriding and other types of criminality. 

'We need to work with the local council, gardai and government to bring an end to this type of violence.'

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