Gardaí are trying to establish a motive for the murder of a 42-year-old man who was shot dead outside a pub in Finglas last night.
David Thomas from Cloonlara Crescent was shot in the head a number of times as he stood outside the Drake Inn pub in Finglas village. He died instantly.
A gunman got out of the passenger seat of a car and shot the victim at close range. The incident happened just before 8.30pm.
Gardaí say that following the shooting a man ran from the scene towards the Allied Irish Bank in Finglas where he got into a dark blue Opel Corsa near a taxi rank.
The car was then driven to Glasmeen Park close to Johnstown Park, where it was abandoned and burned.
Mr Thomas had been charged and tried but acquitted of the murder of Eamon O'Reilly who was shot dead in another Finglas pub in 1998.
He was also given suspended sentences for shooting Superintendent John Ganley and Detective Sergeant Fergal Patwell at Richmond Hill apartments four days after the murder.
The two gardaí along with Superintendent John Mulligan were later awarded medals for bravery.
Gardaí have appealed for anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Drake Inn or the nearby Centra shop in Finglas between 7pm and 8.40pm and may have noticed anything unusual to contact Finglas Garda station on 01-6667500.
They have also appealed to anyone who may have witnessed the car being abandoned in Glasmeen Court at approximately 8.45pm or anyone leaving the scene on foot to contact them.
