Gardaí hunt 2 who shot man at home

GARDAÍ are hunting the gunmen who killed a man at a Traveller halting site in north Dublin.

Gardaí hunt 2 who shot man at home

The shooting occurred at the St Margaret’s halting site in Ballymun in north Dublin on Saturday night, claiming the life of 49-year-old father-of-three Tom McDonagh.

Gardaí are trying to uncover the motive for the murder amid suspicions that a Dublin drugs gang may have been involved.

At 9.50pm on Saturday Mr McDonagh was at home alone watching television in his mobile home when a dark-coloured Nissan Qashqai pulled up, reversed into the parking bay outside and two men emerged.

One of them was armed with an automatic handgun and he opened fire into the home through the door.

Mr McDonagh was shot several times, including in the stomach, and the gunmen sped away in the vehicle, which was later found burnt out in Mayeston, St Margaret’s Road, in nearby Finglas.

Gardaí believe that having dumped the vehicle, the occupants made their way through bushes and ran on to the southbound lane of the M50 motorway, where they were picked up by another vehicle.

Mr McDonagh was taken by ambulance to the Mater Hospital but was later pronounced dead.

The scene of the shooting and that of the burnt vehicle were sealed off yesterday as gardaí began a technical examination.

Gardaí described the attack as shocking and extremely well planned.

The gunmen knew Mr McDonagh was at home alone and how best to access and leave the area, as well as how to destroy the car and escape in another vehicle.

The Qashqai is understood to have been completely destroyed and no weapon has yet been discovered.

Mr McDonagh was not well known to gardaí and is understood to have bought and sold scrap metal.

Gardaí have not ruled out the possibility that the attack was carried out by other members of the Travelling community, but are also exploring the possibility that a drugs gang was involved.

One theory is that Mr McDonagh was killed over unpaid money, while another possibility being explored is that he was involved in a dispute.

It is also understood that a number of witnesses were in the area at the time of the shooting and may have seen the gunmen.

Gardaí said members of the public may have seen two attackers get over the fence onto the M50 just before the Finglas exit southbound or may have seen a vehicle waiting close to the Finglas exit between 9.45pm and 10pm.

There was shock in the area yesterday over Mr McDonagh’s violent death, with many people stating that the halting site was usually quiet. It is understood Mr McDonagh had lived there for years.

Local Labour councillor Steve Wrenn said the halting site “is there a long time” and he had not heard any reports of problems.

Gardaí appealed for anyone with information to contact them at Ballymun on 01 6664400, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

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