Killer of Tallaght man waited at his victim's door

The killer of a man shot dead in Tallaght, Dublin, in the early hours of yesterday morning calmly waited at the victim's hall door for him to emerge from his home before shooting him at point-blank range.

The dead man was named last night as Mr David McGuinness.

The 35-year-old father of one was not a major criminal figure and while his murder had all the hallmarks of a gangland killing, gardaí said it was unlikely it was drug-related.

Supt Declan Coburn last night said that it was still early in the investigation and officers were keeping an open mind on the motive for the murder.

Mr McGuinness was at his family home at the Balrothery Estate, Tallaght, when a caller came to the door at around 12.20 a.m.

One of his brothers answered the door and Mr McGuinness was asked for by name. The victim was in bed at the time.

When he came to the door he was shot dead. It is understood three shots were fired. He was rushed to Tallaght Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Another brother of Mr McGuinness was also in the house at the time, as was the dead man's mother.

The victim was self-employed and worked in the construction industry. He had one daughter who is in her early teens, gardaí said.

A number of men were seen fleeing after the attack. They ran towards two parked cars which were then driven at speed from the scene. One of the cars is described as a Ford Focus, or similar vehicle. The other is described as a small, dark-coloured hatchback.

The scene was examined by Garda forensic experts yesterday. Detectives at Tallaght Garda station have appealed with anyone with information to contact the incident room at (01) 6666000.