A FAMILY MEMBER of the great-grandmother who was shot in the leg in her home in south Dublin was the real target of the attack.

The 77-year-old woman was shot in the leg after answering the door to a man who was banging at her door on Oliver Plunkett Avenue in Monkstown at around 11pm on Thursday night.

The intended target, a man in his 20s who has over 40 convictions for violent offences and who was in the house at the time, is understood to have hid while the woman answered the door. The woman’s six-year-old great-grandson was in the house when she was shot.

When she answered the door, the gunman realised she was not the intended target but still fired at least five shots from a handgun. One of them struck the 77-year-old in the leg. She was brought to hospital by ambulance and is expected to make a full recovery.

The real target’s previous convictions include a hit and run, public intoxication, assault, robbery, burglary and car theft. He is also been known to be part of the Dun Laoghaire drug trade but on a very small scale.

While officers believe they know who ordered the attack, they still do not have a definite suspect. Dun Laoghaire Superintendent Michael Fitzgerald described the gunman as being between 5ft 7 and 5ft 10 and was wearing dark clothing.

Superintendent Martin Fitzgerald described the attack as a “particularly callous incident”.

“This is highly unusual and a new departure in many respects.

“This was a very clear attack on this specific house. It was very direct. We understand that a handgun was used in the attack.”

Local councillor Cormac Devlin condemned the shooting.

“It’s absolutely shocking and disgraceful that a 77-year-old woman would be shot in her own home. I hope that anyone with information will come forward and the perpetrators are brought to justice.”

Anyone with information is being urged to contact their local garda station or call the confidential line on 1800666111.

Read: ‘Particularly callous and unusual’: Woman in her 70s shot in the leg in south Dublin >