A four-man gang responsible for shooting dead another man on the north-western outskirts of Dublin escaped on foot today after being pursued by an off duty police officer.
The victim was sitting in his car at Little Pace Road in Clonee, Co Meath at about 4am when his he was ambushed by attackers .
He was struck in the head and upper body.
An off duty Garda heard the shots and chased the gang but they managed to give him the slip.
The victim was taken to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital in Blanchardstown but died at 5.30am.
He has been named as Andrew Glennon, 30, from Fortlawn Drive in Blanchardstown.
He is believed to be known to Gardaí and was a suspected drug dealer.
Gardaí said at least four men were involved in the attack and were reported to have been wearing dark clothes and hats or balaclavas. Two of the men were armed.
The murder scene has been preserved for a technical examination and a post mortem will take place later this afternoon.
Gardaí have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Meanwhile, Labour Party Spokesperson on Justice, Joe Costello, said there was a need for the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner "to review the resources available to the Gardai for the investigation of crimes of this nature."
"With just a third of the year gone there have already been eight gangland type murders so far this year, matching the entire total for the full year of 2004."
"What is of equal concern is that there appears to be relatively little risk of those responsible being arrested and brought to justice."