Updated at 6.35pm
A MAN IN his early thirties shot several times at a filling station across from a landmark hotel in north Dublin this afternoon was wearing a bulletproof vest, according to investigating gardaí.
The victim, believed to be the latest victim of the Hutch-Kinahan feud, was sitting in maroon Ford at the Topaz, across from the Clayton Airport Hotel, when a black Lexus with a 08 D registration pulled up, and a gunman opened fire.
A nurse who happened to be in the area provided first aid at the scene, before the man was rushed by ambulance to the nearby Beaumont Hospital. He was shot in the neck, shoulder and body. It’s believed the protective vest may have saved his life.
The victim – who is from Dublin – is believed to be a senior member of the Hutch gang.
He recently fled Dublin due to a threat on his life.
Lexus
A large section of the filling station grounds was sealed off this afternoon as gardaí investigated. A second area – across the road from the scene of the shooting – was cordoned off later in the afternoon as a team of officers searched the ground for evidence.
Superintendent Finbarr Murphy of Ballymun Station issued an appeal for information about the car used in the shooting, which has since been found burnt out in Ardee, Co Louth – around 60km away.
Our appeal is for anybody who was on the Clonshaugh Road in the filling station at around 1.30pm or anybody who at the Clonshaugh Roundabout may have seen dangerous driving of a black Lexus car – 08 D – or anybody then who would have seen the car on, probably, the M50-M1 junction heading towards Ardee.
Superintendent Murphy said there were around 60 or 70 people in or around the garage forecourt and shop when the attack happened.
He appealed for any drivers in the area and who may have seen anything suspicious to get in contact – particularly motorists who may have dash cams.
A large team of uniformed gardaí took names, addresses and registration numbers from hotel guests as they left the adjacent car-park. Officers also boarded hotel shuttle buses to talk to customers as they left for the airport.
Staff at the Clayton – formerly a Bewleys hotel and a landmark in the area on the route from the M50 to the Malahide Road – watched the scene develop from the hotel car park as the investigation continued and media arrived.
Gardaí have not yet formally interviewed the victim.
Ballymun Garda Station can be reached on 01 666 4400. Information can also be given via the Garda Confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111 or at any Garda station.
- With reporting from Paul Hosford and Garreth MacNamee
- Note: The video at the top of this article – which says the victim was in his 20s – was edited before gardaí confirmed he was in his early 30s.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say