Attempted Murder in Tallaght, Dublin 24 on the 3/12/21

Gardaí at Tallaght are investigating an attempted murder at Cookstown Cottages, Cookstown Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on Friday 3rd December 2021 (shortly before 12.15pm). The scene is located to the side of a business premises named Tommy Mc Motors. The victim was a man in his 50’s who was shot to the upper body during the incident. He remains in hospital in a critical condition. 

Circumstances:

A short while before the attempted murder at 12md (approximately) an Opel Astra arrived at Kiltipper Gate, Tallaght. Two male suspects alighted the Opel Astra and transferred into a Citroen Berlingo. The Astra remained at this location for two days before it was set alight. 

Shortly before 12.15pm on Friday 03/12/2021 a black Citroen Berlingo Van, 11 DL 1641, entered the yard of the premises at Cookstown lane, and drove directly to the garage located at the rear of the yard. There are believed to have been two suspects in this van, one of which approached the victim and shot him. The van and the occupants then left the scene at speed, and travelled the short distance to Kilcarrig Close, Tallaght, where it was set alight. 

It is believed that one of the suspects (the driver) caught fire as the van was set alight and may have suffered injuries. The Citroen Van was completely destroyed in the fire. The scene was preserved for technical examination. 

At Kilcarrig the occupants are believed to have transferred to a black VW Golf GTI, partial registration 07 D …., which was then driven to Rathmill Glen, Rathcoole, Co Dublin where the Golf in turn was set alight. 

The driver caught fire as the VW Golf was set on fire, and may have suffered burn injuries. The VW Golf was not completely destroyed by the fire and the scene was preserved for technical examination. 

The two suspects then transferred into a silver Nissan Note, 07 D registration…., at Rathmill Glen Rathcoole, Co Dublin and left the scene at speed. Shortly after the Nissan Note was located abandoned in La Fanu Drive, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. It was not set alight. The vehicle and scene were preserved for technical examination. 

An Incident Room has been set up with Detective Inspector John Walsh, as the appointed Senior Investigating Officer. Several lines of enquiry are being actively followed by the investigation team, to include the origin of the vehicles, and CCTV from all scenes identified as of interest. 

Garda Appeal:

• Where you near Kiltipper Gate, Tallaght on Friday 3/12/2021, (prior to the attempted murder), and did you see the Opel Astra being abandoned and set alight? Did you see the Citroen Berlingo?
• Were you in the vicinity of Cookstown Cottages, Cookstown Lane on Friday 3/12/2021 between 11 am and 12 .15pm or in the preceding weeks?
• Investigating Gardaí suspect that there are four vehicles involved in this attempted murder. Do you know who purchased these vehicles, who may have had access to them or where they were parked prior to Friday 3/12/2021?
• An Opel Astra 06 D 9073 was used to drive to the various locations during the purchase of the other vehicles used. Do you know who had possession of this car?
• Did you see either of these vehicles at the transfer locations? Did you see any of the suspects leave these locations on foot?
• Are you in a position to assist with the investigation? If so please do not hesitate to make contact and let the investigation team assess the information provided.
• Do you know of anyone who has suffered burn injuries since 3/12/2021?