Man shot dead in front of partner and child

A MOTHER and toddler watched in horror as gunmen blasted a young father to death in the bed where the three lay sleeping in the early hours of yesterday morning.

It is feared the murder of Paul Cunningham, 23, will further escalate gangland attacks in west Dublin, which has been the scene of a series of violent incidents in recent days.

Cunningham, from Dromheath Avenue, Ladys-well, Mulhuddart, was shot at least twice in the chest by one of two men who broke into his local authority home through a back door at around 3am and searched the house until they found the room where he was sleeping with his partner and their 18-month-old child.