Updated 12.20

The victim of a gun attack in north Dublin this morning is a 31-year-old man from Belfast. He is currently in a critical condition at Beaumont hospital.

The man, who is now living locally, was leaving his son to the Little Rainbows creche on the Holywell Rd. in Donaghmede when he was approached and shot in the face by man carrying a shotgun, who then fled the scene.

It happened at about 9.10am as parents were dropping their young children off. It is thought the victim's young son would have seen him being shot.

The man, who is thought to have links to the Real IRA, was a known associate of dissident Republican leader Alan Ryan - Mr. Ryan was shot dead in the nearby Clongriffin estate in 2012.

He is understood to be wanted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland for questioning over two murders.

Special correspondent with the Irish Independent Paul Williams told Newstalk's Pat Kenny the man survived a previous shooting after being ejected from the RIRA last year:

A bloodied jacket can be seen outside the creche

The victim was taken to Beaumont Hospital where his condition is described as "serious". Sources say it is hard to tell at this stage if he will survive.

A large area outside the creche has been sealed off and a forensics team arrived a short time ago.

Violence in Dublin

This is the third shooting in Dublin in less than a week.

Last Saturday Mary Dargan, a 66-year-old grandmother, was shot dead at her home in Tallaght just hours before Stephen Moran was killed in Lucan.

Gardai have yet to establish a motive for this attack but are said to be following a number of lines of inquiry.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Coolock garda station or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666-111.