Police hunt two brothers after boy, 6, shot in the neck

Sean Scully could be left with permanent injuries after he was hit by gunmen aiming for one of his family members

Police are hunting two brothers over the horrifying shooting of a six-year-old boy.

Doctors are assessing whether Sean Scully will suffer permanent damage after he was shot in the neck at 10pm on Friday.

The youngster was injured after a gunman fired at his relative in Ballyfermot, West Dublin.

He had been playing with friends on the housing estate when a row broke out between a family member and two brothers who live in the area.

The men then left Croftwood Gardens and returned with a handgun.

The intended victim tried to run into a house when the gunman fired – missing the man and hitting the child.

It is understood the bullet went through Sean’s body above his collarbone and ruptured nerves in his neck.

Shocked neighbours described how the attackers returned on bicycles and were wearing blue surgical gloves.

Stephen Smith told the Irish Mirror : “My children were out playing when it happened.

“I could see the three boys arguing and then they disappeared and came back a little bit later.”

One of the men then produced a firearm and closed in on their target.

Mr Smith said: “Then he saw the gun and started running. He was doing zig zags to try and dodge the shot.

“Then all of a sudden I heard a thud on the ground and it was really quiet. I thought the young fella was dead.

“All I could hear was screaming and shouting then crying.

“The parents came out and were bawling, saying, ‘Please, no. Please, God, no’.

“Loads of people started gathering around.

“Someone got poor Sean a little pillow and another fella started trying to stop the blood.

“The fella who shot him couldn’t believe what happened.

“He was walking in circles with his head in his hands and then ran off.”

Mr Smith said the other man involved then cycled off from the scene.

Police performed first aid on Sean before the ambulance arrived.

They stemmed the blood flow and tried to keep the child calm.

He was taken to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin and his injuries have now been described as non life-threatening.

But sources said doctors were worried Sean would be left with permanent damage due to his severe injury.

Police described the shooting as an isolated incident and said they do not believe it is linked to organised crime.