One of Ireland’s biggest drug gangs is being blamed for the latest attempt to murder a man in broad daylight.
A major garda investigation has now begun after convicted drug dealer Gary Carey, 40, was shot in the underground carpark of the Hilton Hotel off the South Circular Road in Kilmainham, Dublin yesterday morning.
Miraculously, Carey, who is known as ‘The Canary’, was not instantly killed in the daring gangland hit.
He was rushed to hospital where his condition was last night described as being “critical but stable.”
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This is the third attempt on his life in just over a year – with the Ballyfermot native previously surviving a shooting in March and November of last year.
Now sources have revealed that gardai believe Carey, who had just returned from Spain following the last attempt on his life, may have been targeted by a major drugs gang known as ‘The Family.’
Sources say Carey may have been targeted as part of an ongoing local feud with the infamous west-Dublin mob.
The gang is considered to be one of the biggest in the country, second only to the Kinahan cartel.
Another line of enquiry is that gang members linked to crazed mobster Brian “King Ratt” Rattigan were involved in the attack.
Pals of killer “King Ratt” previously targeted Carey after falling out some years ago and his gang are also now being probed for this hit.
Rattigan was released from prison last year following an 18-year stint for killing Declan Gavin in 2001.
A source said: “What is clear is that it was organised and executed in gangland style.
“There are at least two gangs being looked at in relation to the hit.”
Yesterday’s shooting, which occurred just across the road from the famous Kilmainham Jail, happened just weeks after it is understood Carey returned to Ireland after spending several months abroad.
Sources say Carey had fled Ireland after the last attempt on his life in November due to being in fear for his life – and to recover from his injuries.
But it is understood he returned to Ireland from Spain just two weeks ago, believing he was now safe.
However, it is believed the gang learned that Carey was back in the country and targeted him in what has been described as a well-organised hit yesterday.
Officers believe the gunman used a silver Audi in the hit and followed Carey into the car park, shooting him at least six times before fleeing the scene.
It is believed the gang planned to try and kill Carey in the underground car park, where it would not have been easy for him to escape the gunman.
Gardai and emergency services rushed to the scene where it is understood they initially had difficulty in identifying the victim.
This is, sources say, because Carey’s appearance had altered – after he had a hair transplant in Turkey.
The criminal, who was known to gardai, previously sported a bald head, but now has a full head of hair.
Carey, who is from Islandbridge Court in Dublin, but originally from Ballyfermot, has previously survived two other attempts on his life.
Prior to yesterday, a gunman fired up to 10 shots at him while he sat in a car outside a house in Ballyfermot Crescent on November 17.
He was hit twice in the attack and rushed to hospital, where he eventually recovered.
Carey also survived a previous attempt on his life last March when a gunman opened fire on him in Ballyfermot.
On that occasion Carey only received graze injuries and drove himself to hospital.
He also did not make any complaint to gardai over that incident.
Carey has been questioned a number of times by detectives in relation to seizures of drugs, firearms and cash.
He has also previously served 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to drug dealing at Dublin Circuit Court back in 2002.
Sources say gardai now fear further violence in the local feud with the gang known as ‘The Family.’
The powerful west Dublin mob has in recent times become a significant force in organised crime, rivalling the influence and territory of the Kinahan cartel in Ireland.
Yesterday gardai issued an appeal for witnesses to the shooting to come forward as an incident room was formally established at Kilmainham Garda Station.
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