LAST UPDATE | 22 May 2019

A MAN IN his 20s been killed in a shooting in Darndale, north Dublin this afternoon. 

The shooting happened at around 4pm at a laneway adjacent to Our Lady Immaculate National School in Darndale. 

The man was shot a number of times and was later pronounced dead at the scene. 

Today’s shooting follows the death of a man found dead with gunshot wounds near the M1 motorway in Dublin last night.

Gardaí are understood to be investigating whether the two fatal shootings are linked and drugs related.

“I utterly condemn any violent loss of life and I am extremely concerned about the three shooting incidents that took place in Balbriggan, Mulhuddart and Darndale in the past 24 hours,” Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan said in a statement this evening. 

Flanagan appealed to anyone who has information which could help garda enquiries to come forward as soon as possible. 

“Any information, no matter how small, could play a vital part in bringing the perpetrators of these acts to justice. Gardaí can be contacted anonymously by using the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111,” he said.

Speaking to TheJournal.ie this evening, local Fine Gael councillor Declan Flanagan said:

I’m just absolutely shocked by it. I’ve been speaking to a number of neighbours locally in the area and I just can’t believe that something of this magnitude has happened. 

“People are just devastated by the news. It’s very tragic, such a young person. Really it’s just one of shock and my condolences for his family.”

Meanwhile, Labour senator Aodhán Ó Riodáin hit out at the government over the escalating number of attacks. 

“Consistently I have raised through Seanad commencement debates the need for increased Garda resources on the Northside,” Ó Riordáin said.

Now is the time to intervene and nip this in the bud. We have been actively campaigning for a garda station locally for this expanding community.

“It is time to take on the escalating number of gun shootings by committing the resources to tackle this once and for all. Continually insisting these incidents are an operational matter for the gardaí is insulting to the communities who need protection,” he said.

An incident room has been established at Coolock Garda Station in relation to the shooting in Darndale.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone who was in the area shortly before 4pm to contact gardaí at Coolock Garda Station on 01 666 4200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station. 

- With reporting by Garreth MacNamee