Man shot in Dublin was receiving first aid after earlier hit-and-run

Investigators attempting to establish if attack is linked to Kinahan-Hutch gangland feud

A hit-and-run victim was receiving first aid on a Dublin street when he was shot, it has emerged.

Eddie Staunton was cycling along James Joyce Street when he was hit by a car at the Seán McDermott Street junction at about 9.35pm on Sunday night.

The injured 25-year-old ran from the scene of the collision to Peader Kearney House on Railway Street.

A Garda spokesman said the driver parked the car on Seán McDermott Street, got out and ran in the direction of Gardiner Street.

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About 15 minutes later, as Mr Staunton was receiving first aid from members of the community near Liberty House on Railway Street, a person – believed to be the driver involved in the collision – ran towards the victim and shot him a number of times.

The gunman then ran up Railway Street in the direction of Amiens Street.

Investigators are attempting to establish if the shooting of Mr Staunton is linked to the Kinahan-Hutch gangland feud.

A Garda spokesman said the vehicle was a silver Ford focus with the registration 08 CN 6682.

The attacker is described as being tall and having a slim to medium build. Witnesses described the man as wearing a dark top over a grey hooded top, dark bottoms and dark runners with a white sole.

The victim received gunshot wounds to his body including his groin area. He was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital.

He remains in the hospital, with his injuries described as non life-threatening.

It is understood Mr Staunton is related to the Hutch family, but is not believed to have been part of the feud.

The Kinahan gang has targeted Hutch family members but also their associates and other people with historic or tenuous links to the family as part of the feud.

Gardaí at Store Street have asked for anyone with information to contact their station on (01) 666 8000 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

‘Grave concern’

Joe Costello, the Labour spokesman on urban regeneration, said the shooting was a "matter of grave concern".

"The shooting took place in a residential area close to Rutland Street Primary School and Lourdes Day-care Centre where large number of children and elderly people congregate every day," he said. "Gangland feuding had dissipated in recent months. It would be a serious matter if it were to break out again in the north inner city."

Mr Costello called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to act on the recommendations made in the Mulvey report.

"A taskforce was set up under Kieran Mulvey to address the social inequalities giving rise to unemployment, drug abuse and crime in the area," he said. "Despite the fact that the Mulvey Report has been published for some time, no action has yet been taken on it and the implementation structure has not materialised."

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty is an Irish Times journalist