A suspected drug dealer shot dead in his own home as his baby daughter slept upstairs may have been murdered over a botched drugs deal, gardaí said tonight.
The body of Sean Cloherty (27), was discovered in the front downstairs living room at Ashcroft Grove, Bakestown, Dublin 15
It is believed his killer was invited into the house last night before opening fire several times, leaving the victim with a number of fatal gunshot wounds to the neck.
Mr Cloherty's 17-month-old daughter was asleep in an upstairs room at the time.
Investigating detectives said they are looking at a number of avenues of inquiry but believe it could be linked to the seizure of a substantial amount of heroin in August.
The victim, who was known as a low-level gangland criminal, was arrested and questioned after gardai recovered around €300,000 worth of the drug in Balbriggan, north Dublin, in August. One theory is that he was murdered because of the seizure.
Mr Cloherty's partner and other child were out of the house at the time of the killing. It is believed they had only moved into the area recently.
Superintendent John Harnett appealed for anybody who was in the area yesterday evening and who may have seen anything suspicious to contact the Garda at Blanchardstown.
The scene remained sealed today off for a full Garda technical examination while the body was removed for a postmortem.
Labour Party TD for Dublin West Joan Burton said the murder is proof the Government has "failed to get to grips with gangland crime and with gun crime in particular".
She said law-abiding citizens "expect and are entitled to a better policing service".