Gardaí investigate latest gangland shooting

Gardaí are tonight investigating the country’s 18th gangland-style attack so far this year.

The victim of the latest shooting was murdered just yards from his Dublin home, it emerged tonight.

Pierce Reid is suspected to have been gunned down as part of a feud among criminal gangs in the Clondalkin area.

The 25-year-old father of one, of Lealand Close, was shot in the head a number of times as he tried to outrun the gunman.

Two men were later arrested as part of an investigation into a second shooting on the estate.

Gardaí said Mr Reid was well known to officers in the area.

“Gardaí are following a definite line of inquiry,” said a garda.

“This is believed to be a very localised incident involving people from the immediate locality or broader Clondalkin area.”

Mr Reid’s murder happened at 9.50pm last night. Shortly afterwards a stolen grey-coloured BMW car, registration 08 D 26305, believed to be the gunman’s getaway vehicle, was found partly burnt out at Lindisfarne Park.

Detectives are also probing a second gun attack in the area, which they believe may have been carried out by Mr Reid’s friends in retaliation for his murder.

A number of shots were fired at the door and windows of a house in nearby Lealand Avenue four hours after the first shooting. Nobody was injured in the later incident.

Gardaí who were on patrol intercepted two men in their 20s. The pair were arrested and a shotgun and ammunition recovered.

The men, who can be held for 72 hours, have been detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act at Clondalkin garda station.

Labour councillor Robert Dowds said the Lealand area was generally a very settled estate.

“We have some very sound community based people living there who want to do the best for the community,” he said.

“But like everywhere there will be people involved in drugs activity.

“I am shocked to hear about the shooting but I’m not surprised because that sort of thing is becoming very common.”