Man in his 60s shot dead in Dublin as partner looked on
A man in his 60s has been shot dead as his partner looked on.
The victim, named locally as Noel Kirwan, was targeted by a lone gunman shortly after he pulled into the driveway of a house in the Ronanstown area of Dublin just after 5pm.
The 62-year-old, originally from the north inner city, was hit by several bullets fired into the driver's side of the Ford Mondeo.
The killer escaped in a white Peugeot Partner van 10-CE-9834 which was found burnt out a short time later behind the nearby Neilstown shops.
Kirwan was understood to have associated with Gerry "the Monk" Hutch.
His family has been embroiled in a bitter feud with the Kinahan crime cartel which turned bloody in September 2015 when Gary Hutch was shot dead in Spain.
At least 10 people have been killed in Ireland and Spain as a result.
Gino Kenny, People Before Profit TD from the area, appealed for calm.
"Violence just breeds violence. It's terrible for the family," he said.
"It hasn't been confirmed but obviously if there's a link to the Hutch and Kinahan feud then it's a cycle of violence that has to stop. Someone has to say stop. Fathers, brothers are being killed."
His partner was not injured but is understood to have been deeply distressed by the killing.
A tent was erected over Kirwan's Mondeo car for several hours following the shooting while forensic examinations took place at the scene.
A group of people believed to be relatives were brought to the crime scene by gardai at about 9pm before the man's body was removed in an ambulance.
Gardaí are investigating the fatal shooting which occurred in the driveway of a house at St. Ronan’s Drive, Clondalkin Dublin 22 this evening at approximately 5.10pm.
Gardai have stated that it appears that a lone male entered the driveway of the house at the above location and fired a number of shots fatally injuring the driver of a car.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene. A female passenger in the car was uninjured.
The lone male then left the scene and is believed to have got into a white Peugeot Partner Van Registration No: 10-CE-9834. This van was found burnt out a short distance away at the Neilstown Shopping Centre.
A full investigation has commenced and an incident room has been established at Lucan Garda Station.
Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses, particularly those people who were in the area prior to the incident and immediately after the shooting and who may have information or who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious to contact them at Clondalkin Garda Station on 01 666 7600 The Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.
Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald described those involved in the shooting as "a scourge on Dublin and the good people of our city".
"They go about their brutal business with no concern for the fear that they inflict on our communities and with zero regard for the innocents who may be caught up in their terrible acts," she said.
Ms McDonald called for additional policing and justice resources to tackle gangland.
"The actions of those involved in these crimes are an affront to the spirit of Dublin. Our communities, our families and all who inhabit this city have had enough. We are done with being caught up in this seemingly endless cycle of violence," she said.
The man who was shot in west Dublin is now reported to have died.
A small van believed to have been used in the shooting incident was found burnt out at Neilstown Shopping Centre a short time later.
The scene has been preserved for technical examination.
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information is asked to contact them at Ronanstown Garda Station on 01 666 7700, The Garda Confidential Line, 1800 666111 or any Garda station.
A man has been severely injured after being shot in west Dublin.
Gardaí say he suffered multiple gunshot wounds at St Ronan's Drive in Ronanstown at 5pm this evening.
The man, in his late 50s or early 60s, is believed to have been shot in the head.
Gardaí have said the shooting has "all the hallmarks of a gangland attack".
Emergency services are at the scene which has been sealed off.
It is expected that a full Garda investigation will be launched this evening.
