MEMBER of 'Fat' Freddie Thompson's drug gang has been shot as a bloody internal row escalates.

MEMBER of 'Fat' Freddie Thompson's drug gang has been shot as a bloody internal row escalates.

The gangster, who is in his 20s, was shot in the stomach as he walked in a park in Milltown, Dublin, at about 6.30pm on Thursday.

The target, out on bail at the time for a car theft charge, is expected to survive.

The shocking gun attack has been linked to an internal feud in the Thompson gang which has also seen grenade and gun attacks and numerous incidents of criminal damage.

Six of Thompson's young gang members have split into two groups and have been carrying out acts of violence against each other.

Thursday's target, who is not part of the original six gangsters involved, but is believed to be involved in Thompson's operation, was in the park near Milltown Bridge Road, Milltown, at about 6.30pm when the shooter struck.

The gunman is understood to have been armed with a small gun, possibly a .22 calibre pistol.

He approached his victim in the park and opened fire on him, shooting him in the midriff at the Dodder Linear Park, between Dartry Road and Orwell Road.
The injured man succeeded in walking to the nearby Dropping Well pub on the banks of the River Dodder and startled punters when he appeared covered in blood.

The emergency services were called and an ambulance and gardai went to the area.

As the injured man was stretchered from the pub by paramedics, two people who seemed to know him travelled with him.

He never lost consciousness during the incident.

He was taken by ambulance to St Vincent's Hospital where his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Gardai arrived quickly on the scene with sniffer dogs and customers were moved to the back of the lounge while investigations were carried out.

Gardai sealed off the area for a forensic examination and appealed to any witnesses or anyone with information to contact.

Detectives in Rathmines are investigating the shooting and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A 19-year-old man was arrested yesterday in relation to the incident. He is being detained at Terenure Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, and can be held for up to 72 hours.

Ten vicious attacks on innocent parties were carried out in the internal feud in a 12-hour period at the end of March. The six members of the Freddie Thompson outfit are believed to have gone to war with each other over gang dealings.

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