Gang hitman arrested after shooting doorman

A GANG hitman was arrested yesterday after shooting a doorman in the face because he had been refused entry twice.

The 23-year-old shot the bouncer almost a year since he himself was shot in the face in a gangland attack.

Gardaí said he is a “hitman” for a gang embroiled in a bloody feud with another gang in the Crumlin-Drimnagh and south-inner city area of Dublin.

The feud has claimed at least nine lives, two of which the youth is suspected of being involved in.

His arrest — thanks to patrols set up under Operation Anvil — was greeted by officers targeting the gangs. Gardaí are hopeful of bringing charges against him.

A Garda received a broken bone to his hand during a violent struggle as gardaí tried to arrest the man at the Dolphin House flats complex in Rialto, in the south inner city.

The suspect is a hitman for the rival gang to that of Paddy Doyle, who was murdered in Spain last week. Doyle was a hitman for the other gang.

Yesterday’s shooting occurred at 1.45am at the Hush nightclub at the Red Cow Inn in Clondalkin, west Dublin.

Gardaí said he had been refused entry earlier, but had come back. He tried a second time and, again, was turned away. “He walked away and turned around, took out a gun and fired one shot,” said a Garda source.

The shot hit the 38-year-old doorman in the side of the face and neck.

“He was not badly injured, he was very lucky,” said a Garda source.

The gunman fled the scene in a car.

At 5am, the car, which had been stolen and fitted with false plates, was spotted at Dolphin House by Garda foot patrols.

“He was caught attempting to run away from the car,” said the Garda.

Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Clondalkin Garda Station at 01-6667600 or 01-6667635 or use the Garda Confidential Line at 1800-666111.