Gardaí investigating a fatal shooting in Dublin's Ballymun are to hold a case conference today.

John O'Regan (48) was shot dead on Gateway Avenue as he cycled to work just before 8.50am yesterday morning.

Gardaí say the gunman was cycling a bike and wearing a baseball cap and high-vis jacket. He fired off up to five shots when he reached Mr. O'Regan.

A liaison officer has been assigned to the family of Mr O'Regan, who was from the Ballymun area. 

Personal motives

Cathal McMahon, Crime Correspondent with the Irish Mirror, told Newstalk's Breakfast it was a particularly gruesome and callous killing:

Cathal McMahon says Mr. O'Regan did have some concerns for his own safety, he bought an unlicensed shotgun last year after he was accused last year of smashing the windows of a local man in Ballymun. After that incident it was alleged that Mr. O'Regan was chased through the streets of Ballymun with a chainsaw. There was a charge on this matter before the courts, but it is unlikely that will proceed now that Mr. O'Regan has died.

Mr. O'Regan is also thought to have witnessed three murders, including that of his own brother in Cabra in 2002.