Update: Gardai have launched a murder investigation after a 23-year-old man was shot dead outside a gym in Dublin last night.
Zach Parker from Swords died after being shot outside Gym Plus fitness club on Applewood Close in Swords at around 7.30pm.
Another man is in a serious condition in Beaumont Hospital after being shot in the chest and arm.
The scene remains sealed off this morning and Gardaí are appealing for witnesses.
Gardaí believe the victim may have been murdered over a drug debt.
Chief reporter with the Herald Conor Feehan says the killing was the result of a local feud.
He said: "Obviously, the drugs supply chain in Dublin would, and possibly could, link back to elements of that particular feud.
"It would seem that Mr Parker was involved in a drugs supply scene in the Swords area, so Gardaí believe it is a local feud and possibly related to a drug debt."
Earlier: Man shot dead outside gym in Dublin named locally
A man shot dead outside a gym in Dublin last night has been named locally as Zach Parker.
The 23-year-old man, who is a professional barber from Jugback Lane in Swords died after being shot in the head and chest outside Gym Plus fitness club on Applewood Close in Swords at around 7.30pm last night.
Another man is in a serious condition in Beaumont Hospital after being shot in the chest and arm.
Conor Feehan of the Herald said: "It would appear that this is a very targetted killing and Gardaí are working on one theory that he was targetted because of his involvement in the local drugs scene.
"He would have been known as a cocaine dealer, he had a conviction for that from last year. Gardaí believe that he was a relatively low-level member of that particular scene."
Local Fianna Fáil councillor Darragh Butler described the incident as “shocking and frightening”.
“People are shocked,” he said.
“It’s a busy area, with shops, pubs, fast food restaurants and the gym, and especially this time of year with more people going to the gym to keep their new year’s resolutions.
Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
“It happened at a time when a lot of people would have been coming home from work, anyone could have got caught up in it.
“As the news is slowly coming through, the thing that is hitting people most is just how young the men involved were.
“You hear about shootings on the news, but it’s a very different thing when it comes to your own doorstep.”
Earlier: Gardaí investigate double shooting in which one man dies in Dublin
Gardaí have launched a murder investigation after a man was shot dead outside a gym in north Co. Dublin last night.
Another man is in a serious condition following the gangland-style attack in Swords.
Officers are studying CCTV footage from the scene of last night's double shooting in an effort to track down those responsible for the attack.
Photo: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie
The two men were targetted as they left Gym Plus on Applewood Close in Swords at 7.30pm.
A man in his early 20s was hit a number of times and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The second man in his mid-20s was also shot multiple times.
He was taken by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital for emergency treatment.
Sinn Féin councillor Ann Graves echoed the feeling of shock.
“It’s certainly nothing you would expect,” she said.
“People in the area are very upset about what has happened.”
Gardaí are now appealing for anyone with information on this attack to come forward.
