A local councillor has hit out at An Garda Síochána after a man was shot and injured in his home in Blackpool, Cork yesterday evening. 

The 25 year old was later operated on in hospital and his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening. 

The gunman fled the scene and a burnt out car was found on the Old Mallow Road. Gardaí are investigating as to whether it could have been the getaway vehicle. 

Both the house and the car have been cordoned off as crime scenes, while CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed. 

Speaking to Newstalk, independent Councillor Ken O'Flynn said the Gardaí needed a larger presence in the area: 

“People in Blackpool are in a state of shock, they’re in a state of devastation. I met a number of residents at 10 o’clock Mass this morning outside Blackpool Church who are all talking about it and very upset by it. 

“There has to be more boots on the ground, there has to be more engagement with the community. Gardaí need to start listening to people on the ground telling them what’s going on [and] rooting these people out of our communities that are causing these sort of problems and these vendetta shootings and attacks.”

Ongoing problem:

He added: 

“I have to say Gardaí have been very poor in their response to the locals in the area regarding certain families that have moved into Blackpool. The escalation in the last number of months in violence and threats in Blackpool is unacceptable. 

“I have people ringing me in my constituency telling me straight out that they are afraid to open their doors at night, they’re afraid to go out into the street. 

“And that’s something that has never, ever [been the case] in Blackpool before.”

An Garda Síochána said they do not respond to third party remarks.

Main image: Garda sign. Picture by: The Irish Image Collection/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire