Pubdate: Mon, 23 Oct 2000
Source: Irish Examiner (Ireland)
Copyright: Examiner Publications Ltd, 2000
Contact:  http://www.examiner.ie/
Author: Cormac O'Keeffe

MAN FACING DRUGS CHARGES GUNNED DOWN

A man facing drugs charges was yesterday gunned down at his home by two 
masked men.

Donal Keenan, 24, was seriously injured after being shot in the stomach and 
right elbow.

The attack took place early in the morning at the man's home at Galtymore 
Close in Drimnagh, south west Dublin.

Mr Keenan was charged last week in relation to the possession of a 
substantial amount of ecstasy.

It is suspected that dealers in business with Mr Keenan may have carried 
out the attack.

The victim was brought to St James's Hospital where he underwent emergency 
surgery.

His injuries were not thought to be life threatening.

Superintendent John Manley of Crumlin Garda Station said it appeared that 
Mr Keenan was shot after he answered a knock on his door shortly after 3am.

"It appears he was confronted by two masked men who opened fire. The 
injured party was shot in the right elbow and in the abdomen. We are taking 
the attack very seriously." He said Mr Keenan's parents were in the house 
at the time of the shooting. "They were asleep upstairs and did not witness 
the shooting."

Forensic and ballistics experts were examining the scene yesterday and 
gardai conducted house to house enquiries.

Supt Manley said they intended to talk to the victim after the surgery.

Yesterday's shooting is the latest in a spate of gangland gun attacks in 
Dublin in recent months, most of which are related to the drugs trade.

Last month, suspected drug dealer Martin Foley, from Crumlin, escaped death 
after being shot seven times outside a swimming pool in Terenure, south Dublin.

On the same day a man suffered serious injuries after being shot twice in 
the back in Ballyfermot, west Dublin.

Earlier in September, two men were shot in a drug related attack in 
Neilstown, outside Clondalkin.

In August, two men were shot in Finglas, north Dublin, one of them the 
result of a feud involving local travellers.

In July, two men were shot at in Tallaght, west Dublin, while another man 
was shot near Mulhuddart, in north west Dublin.
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