LAST UPDATE | 27 Jul 2020

A MAN IN his 50s has died following a shooting in Dublin today.

The incident took place in the Croftwood Park area of Ballyfermot at approximately 11am.

Gardaí have confirmed a man in his 50s received a number of gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A burnt out car was discovered a short distance away. 

Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Superintendent Tony Twomey said that gardaí are searching for a lone gunman in relation to the murder.

“The deceased male in his 50s was fatally wounded having responded to a caller at his home,” Twomey said.

He said there are a number of nearby locations of interest relevant to the investigation – Croftwood Park, Le Fanu Drive, Killeen Road and the Monksfield Walk/Lawns area in Clondalkin.

There are also two vehicles of interest to gardaí – a blue Ford Fiesta that was found burnt out on Le Fanu Drive and a silver Skoda Octavia which travelled from Killeen Road to Monksfield Walk/Lawns area of Clondalkin. 

The lone gunman is believed to have left the Ford car on Le Fanu Drive before switching to the Skoda. He is understood to have fled on foot after arriving at the Monskfields Walk area. Gardaí also said he may have driven through Park West or along the new Nangor Road on his way to Clondalkin. 

Anyone with information – particularly anyone who was in these areas between 10.30am-11.30am or those who have dash cam footage – is urged to contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 666 7200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

In a statement, local Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan condemned the shooting as an “attack on the whole community”. 

“Cherry Orchard is a great community,” he said. “It is full of hardworking families.

“This gun attack will not undo or distract us from the good work we are doing at local level. We will redouble our efforts to make Cherry Orchard a great place to live.

“This community will not be held to ransom by these criminals. We must ensure those involved are arrested and face the full rigours of the law.”

With reporting from Michelle Hennessy, Garreth MacNamee