GARDAÍ ARE APPEALING for witnesses to come forward after a man was shot dead in the Lucan area of west Dublin last night.
The man has been named as well known criminal Mark Desmond who was involved with gangland activity.
The body of the 41-year-old was found with gunshot wounds to the head at Griffeen Valley Park in Lucan shortly after 8pm.
A blue Mazda car was found burned out close to the scene of the fatal shooting. A gun was found inside the car on Haydens Lane.
Desmond, who was originally from Ballyfermot, had numerous previous convictions.
He was a suspect for a number of murders, including that of Patrick Murray and Darren Carey, whose bodies were dumped into the Grand Canal in after being shot in 2000.
In 2002, Desmond was questioned about the rape of a 15-year-old boy while he was in custody in 2000.
It’s understood that he was based in Sligo in recent months working with a local drugs gang.
The scene was sealed off last night but is being examined again today.
Gardaí have renewed their appeal for witnesses and are interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in or around the park between 7pm and 9pm last night.
They are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have been using the park at the time such as walkers or joggers.
In addition anyone who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in or around Haydens Lane in Lucan where a burned out car was found is asked to contact them at Lucan Garda Station 01 666 7300, the garda confidential telephone line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
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