Gardaí investigating the murder of a man in a Dublin city centre pub last night believe the killing may have been connected to a personal dispute.
James Curran, in his early 40s, was shot in the head in the Green Lizard pub on Francis Street at 10.20pm last night.
The gunman, who had been drinking in the pub beforehand, fled the scene on foot in the direction of Thomas Street or the Coombe.
Mr Curran's body was taken to St James's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10.40pm. A postmortem is to be carried out today.
Superintendent Eddie Quirke, of Kevin Street Garda station, who is leading the investigation, said he was keeping an open mind on the motive for the killing.
However, it is understood that gardaí will be investigating reports that Mr Curran had been involved in a row in the inner city area recently and had been targeted in a revenge attack.
Supt Quirke said the gunman was described by witnesses as being six feet in height, well-dressed, grey-haired and middle-aged.
"There were about 25 to 30 patrons in the pub, and there was a karaoke session in progress. We are appealing for witnesses, particularly the patrons who were on the premises and may have witnessed the incident," he said.
Supt Quirke said gardaí had received good co-operation from customers but added that some may have left before the emergency services arrived.
As part of the murder investigation, footage from the pub's internal and external CCTV system will be examined.
Around 50 detectives from Kevin Street and Kilmainham Garda stations are taking part in the investigation. The incident room at Kevin Street Garda station can be contacted at 01-6669432.
Shocked locals described Mr Curran as a popular character who was well known around the area.
The champion kick boxer was originally from the south inner city area but had been living in Santry. He trained young people in martial arts in a room above a takeaway outlet around 300 metres from the scene of the shooting on Meath Street.
There have been a number of shootings around the south inner city area which encompasses Francis Street.
One local woman said there was concern about the increasing violence of the attacks. "It was all fist fights years ago. Now we're getting guns, knives and hammers."