Dublin gardaí launch appeal after David Douglas shooting

Gardaí are investigating after a man was left fighting for his life following a suspected gangland shooting in Dublin.

The victim, named locally as David Douglas, 54, was shot a number of times as he walked his dog on Killala Rd in Cabra in Dublin’s inner city at around 7.30pm.

He is known to gardaí and has previously served time in prison on drugs offences and has a number of criminal convictions.

After the shooting he was rushed to the Mater Hospital, where his condition was last night described as serious.

It is understood that he was targeted by gunmen who pulled up close to him in a car before firing a number of times.

The scene of the shooting, in a residential area, was sealed off by Garda experts last night.

Gardaí in Finglas have appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have information in relation to the shooting to contact them at Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

In 2010 Mr Douglas was sentenced to 10 years in prison with five suspended in connection with the seizure of €562,000 worth of cocaine in April 2008.

One local councillor said people in Cabra would be dismayed that their area was in the news in relation to such a violent incident.

Independent councillor Cieran Perry said: “The area is a good, respectable area and this type of thing is the exception.”

Mr Perry said that he had held meetings with Garda management to express his concerns over the lack of a more prominent Garda presence in the area, amid concerns that the current situation sent out “the wrong signals” to anyone involved in crime.