Man shot dead in Ballyfermot

A man was shot dead tonight in Dublin’s latest gangland gun attack.

The shooting happened shortly before 4pm in an area behind Ruby Finnegans pub in Ballyfermot, Co Dublin.

The gun attack is the 17th gangland style shooting in the country so far this year.

It is understood two men on a motorbike chased the man before they opened fire.

Stunned residents have gathered at the scene, which has been sealed off for a forensic examination.

The State Pathologist’s Office has also been notified

Up to 11 shots were fired at the 26-year-old victim, who was wearing a bulletproof vest when he was killed.

Two of the bullets are said to have hit the well-known gangland criminal in the head.

Despite only having a string of convictions for minor offences, a senior officer said the dead man was well known to detectives.

“He was never done for anything major, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he wasn’t big,” added the garda.

He is from Dublin’s south inner city and part of the gang linked to the ongoing Crumlin-Drimnagh feud.

It is understood the gun attack may be linked to a recent shooting in the Drimnagh area where a man was injured in the leg.

A garda spokesman said when officers went to Saint Mary’s Avenue West they found the man had suffered serious injuries.

He was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene, where his body remains hidden from onlookers under a garda screen.

Detectives have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Sinn Féin councillor Criona Ni Dhalaigh said the shooting happened close to a GAA pitch where children where playing at the time.

“There were a lot of children in there playing,” she said.

“This is in broad daylight, a built-up residential area.

“It’s one of the few areas where children can actually play. That’s nerve wracking for parents to make sure children are okay.

“You send them out ... and you go out and presume they’re going to be safe.”