A man has been shot dead in the third fatal gangland-style shooting in west Dublin so far this year.
Labour's Joanna Tuffy
Robert O'Hanlon (25) was shot by at least one gunman at about 8pm on Coldcut Road in Clondalkin.
He was shot at least three times in the head and body as he walked off a football pitch where he was playing a match.
O'Hanlon, who is from Lucan but was living in Clondalkin, died at the scene from his injuries. The scene of the attack was sealed off last night.
The State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy is expected to carry out a postmortem today.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses. People playing in the football game who witnessed the murder are expected to be questioned by detectives.
An incident room has been set up at Ronanstown Garda Station.
The shooting follows a comparatively calm start to the year following record levels of gun deaths in 2006, in which there were 26 killings.
Labour's Senator Joanna Tuffy described last night's killing as "cold-blooded" and "casual". "A concerted, effective campaign against these gangs needs to be launched. Rather than piecemeal, time-limited offensives such as Operation Anvil, the Garda must be given the resources and manpower to launch a year-round war against these gangs and their bosses," she said.
Sinn Féin justice spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh claimed gangland violence was at an "all-time" high. He accused Minister for Justice Michael McDowell of responding to the crisis by resorting to "unnecessary gimmicks" such as the new Criminal Justice Act.
"Restructuring and retargeting Garda resources and ensuring that the Criminal Assets Bureau prioritise chasing drug barons would take a greater sustained effort but it would pay off for communities because it would be more effective," he said.