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A man was shot dead in front of his friends in broad daylight yesterday in a shocking gun attack.

Jason Doogue, in his early 20s, was hit three times in the chest outside his home on the Greenhills estate in Athy, Co Kildare.

The victim was sitting on a wall outside his house with pals when a hooded gunman approached on a push bike and opened fire.

He was rushed by ambulance to Naas General Hospital for emergency surgery. He was later pronounced dead.

(Image: Michael Donnelly)

Local Councillor Mark Wall said that something needs to be done to tackle crime in the area.

The Labour Party politicians said: “I think it is time for the Gards and the Justice Minister to get involved to stop crime in Athy.

“I have called for this before but there needs to be a meeting set up with Gards and officials urgently in the quickest possible time, it needs to happen. Gardai need extra resource to try to stop this.

“These kind of incidents cannot continue to happen weekend after weekend.”

(Image: Michael Donnelly)

A Garda spokesman confirmed that the scene was being preserved last night for a technical investigation.

The Offices of the State Pathologist have been notified and a post mortem is to be arranged.

Gardai have launched a murder investigation.

They are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Kildare Garda Station on 045 527730, The Garda Confidential Line 1800 666111 or any Garda Station.