Gardaí have condemned as "reckless" a shooting outside a school in west Dublin.

Shots were fired outside the Community College on Blanchardstown Road North at around 3.40pm on Tuesday.

Gardaí said a lone gunman appeared to target a man in his 20's, who was waiting outside the school.

The gunman ran in the direction of Corduff Grove and no people were injured in the incident.

However a number of people were arrested at the scene, and released following searches.

Gardaí at Blanchardstown carried out a number of searches in the Corduff area, with the assistance of the Emergency Response Unit and Armed Support Units.

But no further arrests have been made.

Superintendent William Carolan has condemned this "reckless" attack which took place at a time when school was just about to finish.

He is appealing to any person in the vicinity of the Community College between 3.00pm and 3.40pm to contact Gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda station.

In particular, Gardaí are looking for any person driving along Blanchardstown Road North or Corduff Grove who may have dashcam footage to make contact.

They are also appealing for any person who observed any unusual activity in the vicinity of the Community College in recent days to make contact at Blanchardstown Garda station at 01-666-9700, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666-111 or any Garda station.

Crime editor with the Irish Mirror, Niall O'Connor, has said it is being linked to an ongoing local feud.

"Gardai are very worried about this - they've kept a lid on the feud in recent weeks.

"They've seized upwards of five to six weapons, there has been several houses shot up in the area - there's also been some assaults.

"As you can imagine to go to a school and start shooting round off at a school, well it's very easy to see that bullets certainly could have entered the school and injured some children.

"It's an extraordinary incident, really."

"Clearly these criminals, which I've been extensively writing about, clearly don't care about the safety of children - or for that matter, anybody else in their community.

"This kind of an action clearly shows that the only people that they really give a damn about is themselves."

Reaction

Labour TD for Dublin West, Joan Burton, has called the incident "outrageous".

She said: "The outrageous incident today, where a gunman fired shots at two men outside a school today is absolutely shocking and requires an urgent response from the Government.

"That someone could act with such impunity where children are being taught is deeply troubling.

"I have spoken to parents and staff recently in local schools who are concerned about recent episodes of lawlessness in the area.

"Unfortunately a small number of people are putting the good name of the whole community at risk but this escalation of feuding and violence must be tackled."

Local Fianna Fáil TD Jack Chambers said: "There has been a recent escalation in violent crime in the west Dublin area as of late but the fact that someone could consciously attempt to cause grave harm by firing gun shots outside a school in broad day light marks a very alarming precedent.

"This latest incident will have proven traumatic for parents and students who were in the immediate vicinity, there is no doubt that innocent people felt frightened.

"Local Gardaí are doing their level best to respond and increase their visibility but national resources need to be deployed to provide back up."

And Sinn Féin Councillor Paul Donnelly urged people to give information to the Gardaí.

He said he was "horrified to hear" of shots fired outside the school, which teaches both junior and senior cycle students.

"It beggars belief that a person would put the lives of school children in danger like this.

"I am asking the community to give the Gardaí any information they have in relation to these idiots to insure that they are taken off our streets."