The man gunned down on Thursday night was mourning the death of his partner last week, we can reveal.
Paddy “Pappy” Lyons, who was shot up to five times, had been living with his 10-year-old son and the boy’s mother.
But she died just days before Mr Lyons, 40s, was killed in Belclare Terrace, Ballymun, North Dublin, leaving the lad an orphan.
Yesterday locals told of their shock at the murder. A man called Dale said he “couldn’t believe it”.
He told the Irish Mirror: “All my group chats were hopping with people saying there had been a shooting and then I found out it was just around the corner from my house.
“I’d have known Paddy to see but didn’t really know him personally.
“It’s usually a quiet enough area and you don’t really expect it. I couldn’t believe it when I heard.”
Another added: “It’s terribly sad. Nobody deserves to go that way. You’d always see him out on the green with his young fella kicking a ball around.
"Our thoughts are with his poor family.”
A bouquet of flowers left at the scene read: “Pappy, RIP. From the O’Rourke family x.”
While Mr Lyons was known to gardai, it was for minor crimes including theft, public order and possession of drugs.
He was also an addict and his murder is believed to be linked to this.
However, it is not believed the victim was involved in gang activity nor is it thought his murder is related to a gang or a feud.
Tributes have been pouring in online for the slain dad, with friends remembering him fondly.
One said: “RIP Pappy. Some funny memories with you back in the day.”
Another added: “Can’t believe it, who would do that to Pappy? He was harmless.”
And one said: “Great party sessions with him over the years, always had time with Pap for a chat.”
Fianna Fail Dublin TD Paul McAuliffe said many communities are suffering at the hands of criminals.
He added: “While we do not know the details or if it is drugs-related, we do know Ballymun like many communities is in the grip of the drugs industry.”
Gardai have urged anyone with information or people who witnessed the attack to contact them.
A spokesman said: “The body of the deceased has been removed from the scene to the Dublin City mortuary where a postmortem will be carried out by pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan.
“The Garda Technical Bureau are continuing to examine the scene.
“Officers are appealing for anyone with information in relation to this incident to come forward and are appealing to anyone who was in the Belclare Terrace and Belclare Park areas between 8pm and 9.15pm [on Thursday evening] to come forward.
“They are particularly appealing to those with camera footage from the area at the time of the incident [including dash-cam and mobile phone footage] to make it available to them.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Ballymun Garda station on 01 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
“Gardai are aware of video footage and images circulating online in the aftermath of the shooting.
“Out of respect to the family of the deceased, we would ask people not to share this material.”
