Man shot in the head outside crèche in north Dublin

A man in his 30s is in a serious condition in hospital having been shot in the face this morning, minutes after bringing his child to a Dublin crèche.

It is understood the victim was approached by a lone gunman just after 9am outside the Little Rainbows crèche on Holywell Avenue in Donaghmede.

The crèche, which is surrounded by houses in the Donahies estate, is open from 8am. It is understood parents were still bringing children to the crèche at the time of the shooting.

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The scene of a shooting on Holywell Avenmue, Donaghmede, Dublin this morning. Photograph: Collins.

The gunman left the scene on foot after the shooting.

The victim is known to gardai and it is understood he had been warned his life was in danger.

He was treated at the scene by Dublin Fire Brigade paramedics before being taken to Beaumont Hospital.

Holywell Avenue was cordoned off as Garda forensics experts conducted a technical examination of the scene.

A blood-stained grey hooded top lay on the road where there victim had been shot, while the ground was heavily blood-stained.

Many parents returned to the crèche to collect their children after they were contacted by management.

None of the children were hurt or witnessed the shooting.

Among those arriving was a father Christo, a Polish national who did not want his surname used, who was collecting his four year-old daughter.

“They called and said to come and collect my daughter. They didn’t say why but when I heard the news I had a bad feeling. I heard there was a shooting. Things are a little bit crazy, but this is a nice crèche.”

Another father collecting his daughter did not want to stop to speak to reporters, saying: “I really just want to get my daughter home safely. This is just shocking, that someone would fire a gun outside a crèche. Who would even think of doing something like this? It’s terrifying to think what could have happened.”

Linda, a resident living around the corner, who also did not want her surname used, said she had been at the back of her house shortly after 9am when she heard ambulance sirens.

“I didn’t even hear the bang. Thank God my two kids had left for school already. They’re 12 and 13, but often they would be leaving about that time. They would have been traumatised, no doubt.”

Other residents stopped to look at the scene through the morning, none of who wanted their names used.

A woman in a blue hooded top and jeans said she came down as "it's all over Facebook that there was a shooting here. I heard the helicopters and sirens. Sure it's happening everywhere now, people getting shot in front of children, in front of their own children."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Coolock Garda Station 01-6664200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.