Mr James Purdue was returning to the Grattan Hall complex where he lived with his girlfriend and child when he was shot several times by a gunman in the early hours of this morning.
The latest violent death in the capital happened in an apartment complex on Hole-in-the-Wall Road shortly after 1.15am.
Superintendent Noel McLoughlin, who is leading the murder investigation said gardaí believed the getaway vehicle was a large black car and he appealed for witnesses to the attack.
"We're satisfied that the gunman ran towards a black car with alloy wheels which was parked near the entrance to the apartment," he said.
"There would be a lot of traffic in the area between 12.30 and 1.30am this morning so I'm appealing to people in the taxi industry, of course also the residents of the apartment block, there are approximately 200 apartments in this complex, I'd ask them to come forward and to talk to us at Coolock (Garda Station) also."
Mr Purdue, of Belcamp Camp Avenue, Priorswood, died after being rushed to Beaumont Hospital.
Superintendent McLoughlin said the victim had connections with people involved in the drugs trade.
"The deceased would be known to the gardaí and he would have associates in the drug trade so we would feel that there would be some connection," he said.
"However, we haven't determined that as of yet, it's too early in the investigation."
He said Mr Purdue was friends with a man who has been missing for over a year and a half.
Patrick Lawlor who has not been seen since he left his home in Darndale in December 2004.
"We have been actively searching for Patrick Lawlor since his disappearance and we have carried out a search about 10 days ago in the Coolock area for Patrick Lawlor," he said.
"The deceased in this murder this morning was a friend of Patrick Lawlor's so somebody out there has information, not alone in relation to the murder this morning but also in relation to Patrick Lawlor's disappearance on December 16, 2004."
However, Supt McLoughlin said he didn't feel there was a connection between this morning's murder and Patrick Lawlor's disappearance
Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy visited Coolock Garda Station this afternoon for a briefing on the latest killing.