A MAN IN his 40s has been killed in a shooting incident in Coolock, North Dublin this afternoon.

The incident occurred in the front garden of a house in the Killbarron Avenue area of Coolock at around 3.30pm this afternoon.

Gardaí believe three men wearing balaclavas were involved in this incident and left the scene in a silver Toyota Avensis with a registration 04-D-71806.

The car was found abandoned and on fire in the Castletymon Gardens area of Coolock at approximately 3:45pm. The scene remains preserved for a Garda technical examination.

It is understood the shooting took place near the home of another shooting victim, Sean Little, whose body was found near a burnt out car on the M1 motorway last week.

Gardaí have not yet said whether the incidents are related.

The body remains at the scene of the shooting pending examination by the Garda Technical Bureau and the Office of the State Pathologist has been notified.

An incident room has been established at Ballymun Garda Station.

Gardaí are appealing for anyone with information to contact them at Ballymun Garda station on 01 666 4400, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.

Gardaí said they are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who was in the vicinity of the Kilbarron Avenue or Castletymon Gardens areas of Coolock between 3:15pm and 4pm.

With reporting from Garreth MacNamee.