Gardaí try to establish motive for fatal Clondalkin shooting

Gardaí are still trying to stablish the motive behind the shooting dead of a 21-year-old man in Dublin early on Saturday.

They are trying to find three men seen running from a car they believe may have been used in the Clondalkin incident.

The victim, named locally as Dean Johnston, from the Greenfort area, was known to gardaí. The shooting took place in a housing estate near the man’s home in Clondalkin.

Gardaí, responding to an emergency call, arrived at the scene of the shooting at Harelawn Green in Clondalkin at 12.20am. There they discovered a man with several gunshot wounds to his head and body. The area was immediately sealed off and the man was removed to Tallaght Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12.50am.

Dr Michael Curtis, the Deputy State Pathologist, carried out a postmortem examination yesterday and the results of this will determine the direction of the investigation.

Gardaí are interested in the movement of a car which was found on fire at Collinstown Crescent and from which the three men were seen running. The car and surrounding area were also sealed off for forensic technical examination. Gardaí are interested in the movements of the black Vauxhall Vectra prior to it being abandoned. The registration is 99 DL 7997 and the car had tinted windows.

The gun used in the incident has not yet been recovered. Gardaí added that at present no motive for the murder has been established.

Gardaí are also examining CCTV footage. They have appealed for witnesses to contact them. Harelawn Green is a particularly busy area with a pub and apartments nearby. Many witnesses have come forward however Gardaí are interested in hearing from anyone in the Collinstown Crescent and Palmerstown wood areas. Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Ronanstown Garda Station on 01 666 7776.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Matthew McDonagh said the area had seen too many gangland-style shootings over the years. “These young victims, regardless of what they’re involved in, are just taken off the face of the earth, and for what?” Mr McDonagh said.

“So many families have lost people close to them and this incident is no different. Another family has been left devastated.”

Additional reporting: PA