On the night of Monday November 9, Garda investigators sealed off a house in Palace Crescent where they spent over two hours carrying out a thorough technical examination of the scene. A second shooting also occurred in Pearse View, Longford town last night. There has now been four gun incidents in Longford within the past ten days, and two in Ardnacassa within just five days.

Longford Gardaí were last night conducting a technical examination outside a house in Palace Crescent, Ardnacassa, after being called to the property following reports of a firearm having been discharged. Gardaí have since confirmed that a second shooting also occurred in Pearse View, Longford town.

The latest shooting in Ardnacassa comes just days after a number of gunshots were fired through the window of a house in nearby Grían Ard.

The scene from a distance showing the three marked Garda cars and one unmarked Garda van at the cordoned off area in Palace Crescent. Out of shot is a fifth Garda car blocking access to the street. | Longford Leader

placeholder image — The scene from a distance showing the three marked Garda cars and one unmarked Garda van at the cordoned off area in Palace Crescent. Out of shot is a fifth Garda car blocking access to the street. | Longford Leader

Last night’s incident in Palace Crescent occurred shortly before 9.40pm, with no injuries reported despite the house being occupied at the time. Gardaí have also confirmed that no injuries were sustained in the Pearse View incident.

At least six Gardaí guarded the scene in Palace Crescent until after midnight last night, where both the house and a large section of the street had been taped off while a technical examination was carried out by two additional members.

A Garda van blocks off access on the far side of the cordoned off house in Palace Crescent | Longford Leader

The two Garda investigators, wearing blue forensic gloves, conducted a detailed examination of the white van parked in the driveway, inspecting it from all sides, using a powerful handheld torchlight to illuminate different sections of its exterior.

Considerable attention was paid to the front of the vehicle.

Left: Gardaí examining the front of the van using a large high powered light which can be seen here through the windscreen window. Right: Gardaí examining the roof of the van. | Longford Leader

At one point, as you can see in the video above, a Garda photographs underneath the van before subsequently returning to the rear of the vehicle to focus the torchlight on the upper section of the back door and across the roof.

Left: Gardaí using a measuring tape which was then extended to the top window. Right: Gardai examining the area outside the front door. | Longford Leader

Shortly afterwards, the two Gardaí could be seen using a measuring tape on the exterior of the house, near an upstairs window.

They then set about examining the area directly outside the front door before returning to the van for further inspection.

The scene from a distance showing the full extent of the cordoned off area. | Longford Leader

Prior to concluding their examination after having spent over two hours at the scene, the two Gardaí began walking the street to the left of the house, going yards beyond the cordon, while examining the road with the torchlight and appearing to confer as they went.

Two Gardaí seen walking a few yards to the left of the house, examining the road with the torch, conferring as they went. | Longford Leader

On two occasions, a separate Garda could be seen combing through a section of the communal green area situated in the centre of Palace Crescent.

He then entered a house on the opposite side where he spoke with an individual.

Gardaí clearing the cordon and leaving the scene at 12.22am | Longford Leader

Upon completion of the examination, Gardaí cleared the cordon and vacated the scene at 12.22am.

Last night’s incidents bring to four the number of shootings to have occurred in Longford within just two weeks, with the Palace Crescent firearm incident the second to have occurred in Ardnacassa within five days.

A Garda van blocking access to the street in Palace Crescent last night | Longford Leader

The first of the recent spate of violent incidents occurred in Granard shortly after 5.30am on Saturday October 31 when Gardaí were called out to a house on the Trumra Road following reports of a car being set alight as well as a firearm being discharged.

The incident occurred at a domestic residence and is believed to be connected to a local dispute between two rival factions. No injuries were reporting following the arson or the shooting.

The second shooting occurred late on Thursday night last, November 5. Gardaí received a call out to a residence in Grían Ard, Ardnacassa, where gunshots had been heard just after 11.30pm. It is understood that a number of bullets had been fired through a window of a house in the estate.

Remarkably, despite the house being occupied at the time of the shooting, no injuries were reported.

According to a Garda spokesperson, investigations into the incidents are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Longford Garda Station on (043) 3350570 or Granard Garda Station on (043) 668 7660.