Man shot in front of partner and child was killed by hitman

GARDAÍ believe a hitman was involved in the fatal shooting of a man on the outskirts of Cork city over the weekend.

Eric Cummins, 29, was gunned down in front of his partner and one-and-a-half-year-old son outside their home in Ballincollig just after 10pm on Saturday.

Mr Cummins, originally from The Lough, in Cork city, was known to gardaí.

Sources described him as a "major player" on the national drugs scene.

Gardaí said they did not believe the attack was connected to the €300,000 cocaine seizure in the Ballincollig area two weeks ago.

Mr Cummins and his family had just returned to their home at 110 Oldcourt, in the upmarket Greenfields estate, when the attack took place.

Neighbours said Mr Cummins, who had moved from the nearby Parknamore Estate about two months ago, was walking from his car to his front door when the gunman approached.

He was returning from a social night out.

His partner and child had just entered the house before him.

The attacker, approximately six feet tall and believed to be in his 20s, retrieved a gun from some bushes and opened fire, hitting the victim several times in the head and chest.

Mr Cummins collapsed in the drive.

Investigating officer Superintendent Tom Hayes said: "It was a brutal attack on an unarmed man in the driveway of his own home."

The attack was witnessed by several teenagers who were sitting on a wall by a nearby green area. The attacker then fled past them to a waiting car in adjacent Fernwalk estate, which was being driven by a second person.

Gardaí believe it was driven towards the nearby Ballincollig bypass.

Ambulance staff were on the scene within minutes and battled to save Mr Cummins's life. He was rushed to Cork University Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.

"He wasn't given much chance. This was well planned and well executed," a garda spokesperson said.

Neighbours said the gunman who was wearing a baseball cap and dark jacket had been waiting near the house for some time before the victim arrived.

The scene was sealed off and preserved on Saturday night and preliminary forensics tests were carried out in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Experts from the Garda Technical Bureau arrived and began combing the area for evidence.

Door-to-door enquiries were also taking place.

State pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy carried out a post mortem on the victim.

Mr Cummins' partner and child are being cared for by relatives.

Anyone who may have information is asked to contact gardaí at Gurranabraher on 021-494 6200.

Gardaí are seeking a dark-coloured Honda used as the getaway car.

The Garda confidential line is 1800 666 111.