GARDAÍ IN west Dublin are attempting to establish a motive for the murder of a father-of-two who was shot as he left his home for work yesterday morning.
The man – who was in his late 30s and named locally as David Darcy – was wounded in the head and upper body at least three times during the attack on Cherry Orchard Avenue in Ballyfermot.
Gardaí said the victim was not known to them and did not appear to be connected to criminal activity. Garda sources said the investigating team was now trying to establish if he had become involved in personal conflicts that may have led to his murder.
Gardaí are also attempting to trace the movements of a dark blue Opel Astra car, believed to have been used by the attackers, which was found burned out close to the scene of the shooting.
The incident occurred shortly before 7am yesterday as the victim was attempting to reverse a van out of his driveway on to Cherry Orchard Avenue to drive to work.
A car pulled up behind, blocking his Ford Transit van, and a number of handgun rounds were discharged towards the van. The car then left the area at speed.
Members of the emergency services arrived a short time later and attempted to revive the victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The area around his house and a stretch of Cherry Orchard Avenue were sealed off for most of the day while members of the Garda Technical Bureau carried out a forensic examination.
The body was removed by ambulance shortly after 11.30am and a postmortem was due to be carried out by deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis.
The car which gardaí believe may have been used by the culprits was burned out on Inagh Road, a short distance from the scene of the shooting. Gardaí were made aware of the burning vehicle just minutes after the shooting.
Gardaí said the dark blue Opel Astra, registration 99 CE 3047, was reported stolen on November 23rd. The murder weapon had not been found last night and gardaí were attempting to establish exactly how many people were involved in the attack.
A Garda source said the incident appeared to be premeditated and that the man had been targeted as his attackers were aware of the time he left home for work.
Mr Darcy was originally from Claddagh Road in the Ballyfermot area and worked as a driver for a local butcher, Whelans. He lived with his partner and teenage son and daughter.
Supt John Quirke of Ballyfermot Garda station said it was not yet clear why Mr Darcy was targeted. “We don’t have any motive.”
Supt Quirke appealed to people who were in the Cherry Orchard Avenue or Inagh Road areas at about 7am yesterday to contact Ballyfermot Garda station on (01) 6667200. He also asked anyone with information about the Opel Astra car to come forward.
Fr Pat Reynolds, of the Holy Sacrament Church on Cherry Orchard Avenue, said Mr Darcy was a hard working man and that his neighbours were shocked by what had happened.
Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South Central Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the shooting was a “horrific event” in a relatively quiet area.