Young dad blasted in Tallaght, Dublin farmland shooting dies as tributes paid

The young dad who suffered catastrophic injuries in a shooting on farmland in south Co Dublin has died, it has emerged.

The Mirror has established that Keith Conlon, 35, died in Tallaght University Hospital today after he was shot in the back of the head on land a few miles to the south.

Mr Conlon, who was from Kiltalown Park in Tallaght, had been fighting for his life ever since the incident in the rural Hazel Grove area of Tallaght on Tuesday afternoon.

Pals of Mr Conlon, who was known as Bono to his friends, have paid tribute to him online.

One said: “Think the whole of Tallaght is in such shock RIP Bono thinking of his family and friends.”

Another said: “Rip Bono mate you were a good skin may you get the best bed up there.”

Members of the gardai following the scene of a fatal shooting at Hazel Grove off the Blessington Road, Tallaght, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

A businessman who was arrested after the shooting of Mr Conlon has been in custody since Tuesday afternoon.

He is still being held at Tallaght Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act, which means he can be detained for up to three days.

Gardai probing the incident believe it started with a row over a dog.

It’s understood Mr Conlon – who is also known as Keith Greene and lives in Kiltalown Park in Tallaght – was with three pals when one of their dogs strayed onto private land in the Hazel Grove area.

Sources say that dog was then shot by a man on the land who carried a legally-held handgun.

Gardai at the scene in the Hazel Grove area of Tallaght, Co Dublin (Stephen Collins/Collins)

Mr Conlon and the others then started to remonstrate with the man for shooting the dog – and it’s understood he then fired several warning shots in the air.

Sources say Mr Conlon was shot once in the back of the head as he and his pals turned from the businessman.

It’s understood a pal of Mr Conlon then called the emergency services who rushed to the scene.

He was conscious and was able to talk when the first responders reached him – but his condition quickly deteriorated.

He was rushed to Tallaght University Hospital, where he lost his fight for life today.

The businessman stayed at the scene after the shooting and officers later arrested him.

Gardai also searched the area of the shooting and later found the body of the dog that had been shot.

Gardai also seized a legally-held firearm at the scene.