Gardaí investigating the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man in Dublin suspect he may have been targeted by a drugs gang in the area.
Brandon Ledwidge was shot in the head and body by a gunman in the front garden of his family home in Barry Drive, Finglas, on Saturday, while his mother was in the house.
The emergency services treated him at the scene, before he was taken to Connolly Hospital, where he was pronounced dead there a short time later.
The scene remained sealed off as forensic specialists carried out an examination.
The 23-year-old was a talented footballer but was also suspected of working as a drug dealer for a family-based drugs gang in Finglas.
The gang has been targeted by gardaí and there has been significant seizures of drugs and firearms. A number of its members are currently before the courts.
It is believed Mr Ledwidge was involved in a row with other gang members shortly before his murder and may have been planning to set up on his own.
Assistant Commissioner in charge of Serious and Organised Crime Justin Kelly has previously said that the volatility and violent nature of these gang members poses a serious challenge.
However, he insists that local gardaí in these areas are tackling these street gangs and are supported by national units gathering intelligence and additional armed resources deployed at short notice when necessary.
There has been a substantial reduction in gang-related murders over the past number of years and this is the first such murder this year.
Gardaí have been conducting house to house inquiries in the area and have appealed for information, seeking mobile phone, dashcam and CCTV footage.
