The brutal murder of Patrick 'Pappy' Lyons in north Dublin is the second tragedy to hit the dad of one's family in just a month.
The 44-year-old was gunned down in Ballymun on Thursday night. Heartbreakingly, his killing comes less than three weeks after the mother of Pappy's only son passed away.
The popular dad-of-one died shortly after 9pm after being blasted five times at Belclare Terrace in what was the first gun murder of the year.
He was pronounced dead at the scene with emergency services covering his remains with a blanket after they were unable to save him.
Pappy was known to gardai in relation to some previous minor drug and theft offences, but his shooting has come as a complete shock as he had no involvement in serious criminal activity.
Gardai have now launched a murder investigation into the shooting which they believe is linked to a local dispute.
It is the second death in the family in just under three weeks after the slain father's son lost his mother at the end of January.
Another Ballymun native, she died suddenly at the Mater Hospital on January 24 and was laid to rest three days later and it is understood that Patrick had a son with her.
Patrick Lyons' body was removed from the scene on Friday morning to Dublin City Mortuary where a post-mortem took place.
The Technical Bureau examined the scene and Gardai are appealing for anyone with information or who may have been in the Belclare Terrace and Belclare Park areas between 8pm and 9.15pm on February 11 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.
Gardai also warned that they are aware of video footage and images circulating online and are urging people not to share these out of respect to the family.
A spokesman said: "A male, aged in his mid-40s, received a number of gunshot wounds and has been pronounced dead at the scene.
“The scene is currently preserved and a technical examination is to be carried out by the Garda Technical Bureau.”
He added: "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.
"The investigation is ongoing and further updates will follow."
Dublin TD Paul McAuliffe said: “While we do not know the details or if it is drugs-related, we do know that Ballymun like many communities is in the grip of the drugs industry."
Mr McAuliffe added: “DCC are preparing a community report and Government must respond to it.
“The hearts of many community people will sink tonight seeing bad news about Ballymun in the media, knowing this has started feuding in the past and that many people with addiction are being exploited by those making millions.
“We actually had a really positive community meeting online tonight talking about the future of Ballymun but we warned that the drugs industry would hold us all back.”
Local Fianna Fail Councillor Keith Connolly said: “Very disturbing news of a shooting in Ballymun this evening.”
