A man aged in his mid-30s has been shot dead in Dublin.

The gun attack happened at a house in the Ballyfermot area at around 3pm this afternoon.

He was shot a number of times and it is understood he was a significant crime figure in the capital.

The killing is the 6th such incident this week around the country since last Friday.

This afternoon at 2:55pm the man was shot dead in the front hallway of a house on the junction of Cloverhill Raod and Cherry Orchard Avenue in Ballyfermot.

His body remains at the scene which has been sealed off for a full forensic examination.

The services of the Office of the State Pathologist have also been requested.

Large crowds of onlookers have also gathered outside the house.

It is understood the victim was well-known to Gardaí and a significant figure in the Dublin crime scene.

Garda at Ballyfermot station have set up an incident room and are appealing to anyone with information on the attack to contact them.

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