Updated 9.35pm
A MAN IN his 20s has died following a shooting in Dublin’s north inner city at around 12.25pm today.
Gardaí have this evening identified the man, but said his family have appealed for privacy this evening, so his name has been withheld.
A Garda technical examination is underway outside Noctor’s pub on the junction of Sheriff Street and Oriel Street near Connolly Station.
The area has been sealed off in all directions and is expected to remain so for the evening. It is now believed a gun was found dumped in a wheelie bin on the street.
It’s understood that at least five or six shots were fired.
When gardaí arrived at the scene they observed a young male lying on the roadway. He appeared to be seriously injured.
Medical assistance was called for and given at the scene and the injured man was subsequently transferred to the Mater Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
It is understood the victim was spotted running away from the gunman in the seconds before the shooting.
A gun was found in a bin not far from where the shooting happened. It has been taken for a technical examination.
“At this point in time, the investigation is in its infancy but there are some matters we are gaining some knowledge on,” Superintendent Kevin Gralton told reporters at a media briefing.
Gardaí this evening identified the man who was shot, but his family have asked for privacy this evening.
It is believed he was not known to the gardaí except for some minor offences.
It’s understood that the man was not from the area, and that the killing is a case of mistaken identity. Gardaí could not confirm speculation that he may have been a homeless man.
Gralton said there were indications that the shooting was a case of mistaken identity but added that he was not in a position to confirm it.
The perpetrator was a lone gunman who left the scene on a bicycle, wearing all black and with his face covered with a scarf.
“He went down Sheriff Street lower in the direction of Seville Place… He abandoned his bicycle on Jervis Street Lower, just before he exited on Seville Place,” explained Gralton, who said there has been no definitive link to the ongoing feud between the Hutch and Kinehan gangs.
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A man working in the nearby Custom House Plaza told TheJournal.ie that he heard what he thought was a series of firecrackers at 12.20pm today.
He said the noises were heard about five or six times, and “echoed all about the place”.
Witness appeal
Gardaí in Store St are appealing for witnesses, and in particular anyone who may have seen a lone male of strong build dressed in dark clothing leaving the area on a bicycle in the direction of Seville Place and the Guild St junction with Sheriff Street.
Superintendent Gralton made the following appeal this evening:
I would ask that anybody that witnessed this shooting today to call us. I would also ask that anybody that saw a male on a black pedal cycle on Sheriff Street Lower at approximately 12.25pm today, and who abandoned the pedal cycle on Sheriff Street lower at the junction of Seville Place and Guild Street and then left on foot, to make contact with us here at Store St on 01 6668000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
First published 12.57pm; With reporting by Paul Hosford
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