More Garda resources are needed to tackle gangland crime in the Finglas area after a man was shot dead in the street yesterday, according to a local councilor. 

29-year-old James Whelan was shot on Deanstown Avenue at 4:30am on Sunday morning.

His death is being linked to an ongoing gang feud in the area and Gardaí are asking anyone with any information to come forward.

The scene remains sealed off this morning and a post-mortem has been carried out.

Fianna Fail Councillor Keith Connolly told Newstalk more resources are needed to tackle crime in the area.

“Another young life lost,” he said. “I would appeal to anybody that has information to contact Gardaí. An incident room has been set up in the area.

“I would also appeal to the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to ensure the area is properly policed and allocated resources to deal with gangland crime because this isn’t acceptable.

“The community don’t deserve this. We need to get a hold of this and people need to feel safe in their community.”

Cllr Connolly said there are a number of ongoing gang feuds in the area, linked to several different groups.

“There has been some progress,” he said. “We would have seen a number of weeks ago where Gardaí were involved with Dublin City Council in seizing a property not too far away from where this incident happened.

“There has been progress, but it is slow progress. Gangland crime is an issue for the whole country but particularly in Finglas as well.”

He called for new laws to prevent criminals enticing grooming young people into a life of crime.

“There should be severe penalties for anybody enticing a young person into a life of crime,” he said.

“Again, it goes back to resourcing of Gardaí. Having community gardaí on the street; having a level of respect for An Garda Síochána and education as well.

“This is a tragic loss of a young person’s life. Less than 30 years of age, their whole life ahead of them and yet here we have them brutally killed.”

Gardaí are continuing to engage with the dead man’s family and a family liaison officer has been appointed.

They are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

They are particularly interested in talking to anyone who was in the area of Deanstown Avenue, Deanstown Green, Deanstown Road, Cardiffsbridge Road or any nearby roads between 9pm on Saturday and 4:30am on Sunday and may have video footage.