Gardai believe a man shot dead outside his home was targeted in a dispute over drugs.
Convicted dealer Cormac Berkeley, 34, was hit eight times outside his home in Clondalkin, West Dublin, on Monday night. It is believed the father of one was shot as he got out of his car, and as he ran for safety, was hit in the driveway of his home in Harelawn Park shortly before 10pm.
Berkeley suffered gunshot wounds to his legs and neck. Locals said they saw a man fleeing the scene on what appeared to be an e-scooter.
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They also described hearing eight gunshots in quick succession. One local said: “I heard about six or seven gunshots. I knew straight away what it was.
“It’s absolutely shocking that this can happen on your own doorstep.” After emergency services rushed to the scene, Berkeley was treated where he fell but despite the best efforts of paramedic, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sources say Berkeley was well known to gardai and had served time in prison and has a conviction for possession of drugs for the purposes of sale or supply. It is understood gardai believe he was murdered over an outstanding drug debt and an ongoing dispute with a West Dublin crime gang.
Gardai are also understood to be probing a possible connection between Berkeley and murdered mobster Gary “The Canary” Carey. He died in August two months after he was shot in an underground car park in Kilmainham in the capital.
Sources say the pair were linked to a knife attack on a rival last year - and he may have been targeted in retaliation for the stabbing. However, it is understood Berkeley has caused tensions over his refusal to pay a drug debt and his attitude towards a threat made against him in recent months.
Sources said he was aware there was a threat to his life - but he remained defiant and would not be intimidated from his home. His house had also been attacked in recent months, sources say.
Berkeley, who was originally from Tallaght, South Dublin, had a partner and a young child and had lived in Harelawn for some time. His body was removed from the scene shortly after 11am yesterday.
Distraught family members and friends were seen at the scene comforting and supporting each other. Forensic officers combed the scene, which remained sealed off and had a tent and a screen erected inside.
Blood was also visible on the outer wall of the property where Berkeley was killed - with pictures being taken of it yesterday afternoon. Gardai are now set to launch a murder inquiry.
It is hoped CCTV from the area may assist in investigation - with several cameras visible outside the home and front-driveway. The murder probe is being led by officers based at Lucan Garda Station, who yesterday issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward.
Appealing for the public’s help, a spokesman said: “Detectives are appealing for witnesses and in particular to anyone who was in the vicinity of Harelawn Park between 9.30pm and 10.30pm on Monday, December 5 to come forward. They are also appealing to those with camera footage and to motorists with dashcam footage from the area at the time to make it available to them”.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lucan Garda Station 01 6667300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
Berkeley was jailed for three years and six months in 2013 after pleading guilty to three charges for possession of heroin for sale and supply. The offences took place on various dates in 2011 in the Tallaght area of Dublin.
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