Tallaght shooting victim was wearing bulletproof vest
The victim in last night's gangland-style shooting in Dublin was wearing a bulletproof vest when he he was shot dead, it has emerged.
A man in 40s died from gunshot wounds to the head on the Foxhill Road in Tallaght at around 10:30pm.
Gardaí also released further details of the case at a press briefing today.
"On Saturday... at approximately 10.45pm, a detective unit based at Tallaght Garda Station was on patrol in the Foxhill Road/Bohernabreena Road area of Tallaght," a Garda statement read.
"They saw a silver coloured car (possibly a hatchback) parked on Foxhill Road.
"Gardaí pulled over to check this car. Two men appeared at the back of the car and got in. It drove away at high speed and has not yet been located.
"Gardaí returned to Foxhill Road where they discovered a man, believed to be in his 40s, with obvious wounds to his upper body.
"The man later died from his injuries. The area was sealed off for a full technical examination and the Offices of the State Pathologist were notified."
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis visited the scene this morning to carry out a preliminary examination.
The body was thent transported to Tallaght Hospital where a post-mortem will be carried out tomorrow morning.
Gardaí will not be naming the victim until all family members have been informed.
An incident room has been set up at Tallaght garda station.
Gardaí are appealing for anyone who may have been in the area of the Foxhill Road /Bohernabreena Road on Saturday January 18 between 10-11pm to contact them.
They are also asking anyone who may have seen a silver-coloured car in the area or any unusual activity to contact Gardaí at Tallaght on 01 6666000 the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any garda station.
The death has prompted fears of further gangland attacks.
The latest violent death in Tallaght has brought to eight the number of people who have died in violent circumstances in the first three weeks of 2014.
That figure is significantly higher when compared to the 6 deaths that occurred in the first three months of last year.
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said today that he is shocked by the sharp rise in violent deaths, adding that this type of crime has no place in Irish society.
