Gardai are appealing for information after a man was shot dead in a Dublin pub last night.
Anthony Russell, from Cromcastle Drive in the Kilmore area, was shot at the Ardlea Inn, Maryfield Avenue, Artane, Dublin 5 at about 8.30pm and died in hospital a short time later.
The victim was having a drink when two men in balaclavas entered the pub and fired a number of shots at Mr Russell from a handgun, hitting him in the upper body.
Mr Russell was taken to Beaumont Hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly before 10pm.
Gardai are currently examining CCTV footage from the bar, having taken statements from a number of eyewitnesses. The assailants are both described as being over 6ft and wearing dark coloured clothes. They left the scene in a silver Nissan Almera car.
Gardai are linking the shooting to an ongoing feud between criminal gangs in Dublin’s northside. It is understood the victim had a string of previous convictions and had survived a previous attempt on his life.
Fine Gael's Justice spokesman Charles Flanagan said the attack demonstrated the need for better surveillance of criminals and those suspected of involvement in gangland violence.
It is understood the victim was a close associate of Christy Griffin, an armed robber and drug dealer who was jailed for life in April 2007 after being convicted of raping a young girl.
In December 2006, as Griffin's trial date approached, two men - Gerard "Batt" Byrne and Stephen Ledden - were shot dead in feud-related attacks. Stephen Ledden (28), was shot in the head at Oriel Street, Dublin on December 27th, 2006. He was shot by mistake by killers targeting another man thought to be behind a feud-related murder two weeks earlier.
Criminal Gerard Byrne (25), of Ferryman's Crossing, Dublin, was shot dead in the IFSC on December 13th, 2006. He was believed to be behind a number of feud-related property attacks.
Griffin, who had been accused of sexually abusing and raping his partner's young daughter, was convicted of rape the following January and later jailed for life.
It is understood the feud largely formed around two factions, one of which stood by Griffin after the accusations surfaced, and the other of which formed an opposing group.
Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Coolock Garda station at (01) at 6664200.