Seven youths and three girls were detained

Gardai are investigating the shooting of a child at Croftwood Gardens in Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron

A six-year-old boy has been shot in the neck in Ballyfermot in Dublin.

It is understood the six-year-old - who is in a serious but stable condition in hospital - was standing in the hallway of a house last night when two men approached the front door.

The men knocked on the door but it was already open and they pushed it fully open.

They fired into the hallway and the boy was hit in the neck, either directly or by a ricochet.

The child’s uncle was also in the house at the time.

The incident occured at approximately 10.15pm in the Croftwood area of Ballyfermot.

The emergency services rushed to the scene to treat the child before bringing him to hospital.

A Garda source confirmed he was not alone at the time.

Locals said there was “pandemonium” in the area.

A source involved in the investigation said the child was “conscious and breathing” when the emergency services arrived.

“He was awake throughout the ambulance journey.”

He is in a serious but stable condition in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin.

Gardai sealed off the street pending a forensic examination by members of the garda technical bureau.

“I heard a bang, I thought someone had smashed my window,” a local woman said.

“I came out and everyone was screaming. I stared throwing towels out to people who were helping him to stop the bleeding.

“I couldn’t look, it was horrible. He looked so small and scared. His glasses were up at his forehead.”

Large crowds have gathered in the south west Dublin housing estate.

Gardai are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with detail to contact the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.