John Gilligan, convicted drug dealer, is in critical condition following a shooting in Clondalkin Dublin tonight.

The 61-year-old was shot three times in the chest and leg when masked men, armed with sawn off shotguns, entered a house in Greenfort Crescent, Clondalkin, shortly after 7pm this evening.

Gilligan is being treated in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin, his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Gilligan had been released from prison after having spent almost 17 years in jail, most of it serving a 20-year term for drugs.

This is not the first time Gilligan has had his life threatened.

Gardai have sealed off the area and the scene is being preserved for a technical examination.

Early in December 2013, an armed man, wearing a motorcycle helmet, went into a pub on the Navan Road in Dublin looking for Gilligan, however, the gunman had the wrong address.

In 1996, Gilligan was charged with the murder of Sunday Independent journalist, Veronica Guerin, however he was acquitted of the crime.