The man who was shot dead in Dublin last night has been named locally as 44-year-old father-of-one Patrick Lyons.

He was shot up to five times while walking through the Belclare Terrace area of Ballymun at around 9pm last night.

He was pronounced dead at the scene and a post-mortem is being carried out today.

He was known to Gardaí but not for serious crime and investigators have yet to establish a motive for the attack.

Gardaí believe it may be related to a personal dispute.

Local TD Paul McAuliffe told Newstalk there are now fears the murder could spark retaliatory attacks.

“In the past, shootings like this have triggered other shootings very soon by feuding,” he said.

“Sometimes the whole community goes into a sort of state of lockdown I suppose in fear of what might happen so I think we want to try and keep heads cool.”

He said the community is saddened by the news.

“It is deeply sad when anyone passes away, I think both for the gentleman concerned and for his family but also for the wider community,” he said.

“I think there are lots of people in the community that sort of let their hearts sink when they hear of these shootings because of the negative attention it brings to the area.”

Garda Forensics after a man was shot dead on Belclare Terrace, Ballymun, 11-02-2021. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

Many locals said they weren't shocked to hear about the shooting

“There was a fella shot around the corner as well there last year so it is nothing new,” said one.

“It is normal for Ballymun,” said another. “Oh, it can be tough; it happens quite a lot.”

Ballymun shooting scene. Image: Kacey O'Riordan/Newstalk

Gardaí have launched a murder investigation, and they're appealing to anyone who was in the Belclare Terrace or Belclare Park areas between 8pm and 9:15pm last night to come forward.

They are also appealing to people to not share pictures and videos of the aftermath of the shooting that are circulating online.

Local councillor Keith Connolly said the area is in shock.

He said: "It's obviously devastating news for the community.

"I think the community will look at this and say 'this isn't what Ballymun is about.'"

Main image: Gardaí at the scene where a man was fatally shot in Ballymun. Photograph: Kacey O'Riordan