Links between the murders of two men killed in separate gun attacks were being investigated by detectives in Dublin today.
Gardai were trying to establish a motive for the latest victim of gun crime, who was due to celebrate his 30th birthday next month.
A lone gunman opened fire on the 29-year-old at St Ronan's Close, Ronanstown, west Dublin, at 9pm last night.
The man - who has not yet been named - later died in Tallaght Hospital. His murder was the second in the capital within 48 hours.
John Berney (29) was shot dead in the bedroom of his Newcastle home in front of his partner on Thursday night.
The couple's young children, aged one and three years, were asleep in the house at the time. A second man was injured as the attacker fled the scene.
Superintendent Pat Clavin said no motive had been established for the latest shooting, but said detectives were investigating possible links between the two attacks.
"It is a very serious crime and it will be fully investigated by the gardai and any links with any other crimes will be fully explored as all avenues are," he said.
It is understood the victim was a father-of-one and shot close to his brother's home.
Garda Supt Pat Clalvin
A post mortem examination is due to be carried out. Supt Clavin said a lone gunman shot the victim a number of times in the body.
The suspect then fled down a laneway into St Ronan's Way and got into a silver car driven by someone else. Gardai said that before getting into the car he was heard shouting and had a strong Dublin accent.
He is described as being between 5ft 9ins and 6ft in height, of a heavy build, and was wearing a blue grey jacket and a blue grey baseball cap. His face was covered by a light-coloured scarf.
A garda forensic team has been examining the murder scene, which remains cordoned off.
Meanwhile two vehicles, a black Opel Vectra and red Nissan Micra, have been removed from the street.
Supt Clavin appealed for anyone who was in St Ronan's Estate of Ronanstown, particularly between 8.30 and 9.30 last night, to contact the incident room at Ronanstown Garda Station.
Labour Party TD for Dublin Mid West, Joanna Tuffy, condemned the gun attack.
"This is the second brutal slaying in this general area in the last week, and is the 148th gun murder to have taken place in Ireland since 1998," she said.
"What is of even greater concern is the conviction rate remains at just 16 per cent, meaning that just one in six of those responsible have been brought to justice.
"While the full circumstances of the killing in Ronanstown are still under investigation, it is fair to say that most of the gun murders over recent years have been gang or drug related.
"I reiterate my support for the recent decision of the Garda Commissioner to establish a new Organised Crime Unit.
"This unit must now be given the personnel and resources to take on the gun gangs.
"The Gardai should also be given additional powers of surveillance and the witness protection scheme should be put on a statutory basis if this cycle of killing is to be ended."