INVESTIGATING gardai have appealed for information today after a Dublin car dealer escaped a fourth attempt on his life this year when his car was rammed and he was chased by two gunmen last night.

The man, who is in his mid-thirties, was unhurt after the attack near the War Memorial Gardens at Islandbridge in south inner Dublin just before 7pm last night.

Witnesses told gardai they saw the man car being rammed by another car and a man opening fire with a shotgun from close range. The car dealer then ran off into the gardens, witnesses said, pursued by two gunmen.

More shots were heard before the gunmen returned from their car and drove off. It is understood the intended victim later emerged from the park and was reported to be shaken but unhurt.

"From initial investigations it appears that a red Honda Civic car with an 08 –D (registration) rammed another car, a silver BMW 01- D (registration) at the above location," a garda spokesman said.

"The two male occupants of the red Honda Civic alighted from this car and ran after the 35 year old male occupant of the silver BMW and proceeded to fire a number of shots at this man. The 35 year old man escaped into Bellevue Apartments and was uninjured.

"One of the gunmen is described as being 5’ 8”, wearing a grey jacket and blue jeans. The second male is not described.

"Garda units attended the scene and commenced a search. No arrests have been made."

It is the fourth similar attack on the man's life this year.

He was shot in the neck and chest in another attack at Bawnogue Road in the Clondalkin area in March but managed to drive away from his attackers and into the forecourt of Clondalkin Garda Station. He staggered into the station reception area covered in blood before collapsing.

He recovered from his injuries and was discharged from Tallaght hospital within a few days. It is understood he left the country but returned during the summer.

In August another attempt was made on his life outside a public house in the Knocklyon area but on that occasion a gun pointed at him apparently jammed and he was able to escape.

After that attack the gunman and his driver had to abandon their car after it broke down not far away. They then ran along pointing guns at passing motorists and attempting to hijack their cars. One of the cars they pointed their guns at contained a couple and their young children.

Gardai believe there was at least one other attempt on the man’s life this year but on that occasion gunmen abandoned a car and a handgun after noticing gardai nearby in the Clanbrassil Street area of the south inner city.

The newly appointed Chairman of the Joint Policing Committee in Dublin, Fianna Fail Councillor Daithí De Róiste, urged political leaders to reassure ordinary Dubliners that everything possible is being done to tackle the out of control criminal elements which are the scurge of our city.

“There is a widespread fear now that a sinister criminal element in the country no longer fears the rule of law and is prepared to commit the most violent of crimes at any time of the day or night with no regard for the safety of our communities," he said.

"Lip service is no longer needed. I believe we need extra garda resources across west Dublin to allow gardaí to increase street patrols, step up their crime prevention activities, and track down the criminals that have threatened our communities’ safety in recent days and months.

“I am appalled at the circumstances of tonight’s shooting.

"This is absolutely disgraceful and we cannot allow such criminals to stalk the streets at will."

A Garda spokesman said officers were called to reports that a number of shots were fired in the Islandbridge area of the capital in the capital.

No one was injured in the incident, he said.

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