Gardaí in Ballyfermot have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead yesterday evening in the west Dublin suburb. Liam Reid reports.
The man, a local believed to be in his early 40s, was shot at point-blank range while walking along Cherry Orchard Avenue, close to Clifden Road, not far from his home.
Locals described hearing two large shots and found the man slumped in the front garden of a house.
The victim is believed to have tried to escape, and ran into the front garden of a local house where his attacker shot him twice.
The incident occurred shortly after 7.30 p.m.
Eyewitnesses described two large wounds in the victim's back.
They also described seeing one man, armed with a shotgun, and wearing a black hat, fleeing the scene on foot.
Locals used bedding and pillows to try and stem the flow of the man's wounds.
He was taken to St James's Hospital where he died.
The State pathologist is expected to carry out a post-mortem later today.
The dead man is believed to have been known to gardaí.
Last night gardaí from Ballyfermot station had cordoned off a large area of ground close to the house where the man had been shot.
Part of the area was heavily stained with blood, while another area was strewn with broken glass.
They were also preserving specific areas overnight for forensic examination.
The investigation is being led by Supt Edward Finucane of Ballyfermot Garda station.