A 28-year-old man was shot dead overnight in Dublin's inner city.
Gardai believe a gunman entered through the unlocked front door of the house at Oriel St Upper off Sheriff St and shot the victim in the head. He was asleep on a living room couch at the time.
Members of the victim's family were in the house at the time of the shooting which gardaí believe happened at around 12.20 am.
Detectives at Store Street Garda Station are investigating and have yet to establish a description of the gunman and not ruled out more than one person being involved.
They issued an appeal for witnesses to the killing this afternoon.
The area around the house was been sealed off for technical examination. The body has been taken away for post mortem by the State Pathologist.
Fine Gael Justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe said the murder showed the gardai are "fighting 21 stcentury criminals with 20 thcentury resources".
He said the professional nature of the murder in an area of high Garda presence showed Minister for Justice Michael McDowell had failed to implement short- or medium-term measures.
"The price being paid for non-delivery by this Government and Minister is the callous gangland violence that shows no sign of relenting into 2007."
"This shooting brings to 26 the number of gangland murders in the State since January 1 stand also brings the number of homicides to a record-breaking 65.
"Under this Government, 2006 truly is the year of the gangster," Mr O'Keeffe said.