Gangster Gilligan was tracked by hitmen who shot him seven times.
It is now believed that the hitmen who shot pint-sized gangster John Gilligan at his brother’s house in Clondalkin last night had been tracking his whereabouts throughout the day, and that he was shot up to seven times in the attack.
Witnesses say that Gardai also feared a melee would break out at the scene, where a large crowd had gathered after the botched attempt on his life.
Convicted drug dealer Gilligan remains in Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown this morning, and his condition is said to be serious but not life-threatening.
The bullet wounds are reportedly in his leg, hip, chest and face – with a ‘large chunk’ taken out of his forehead, according to sources.
The bullet that was shot into his hip is also believed to have lodged in his stomach. He remained conscious as he was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance, but was given the Last Rites on arrival.
Earlier reports had suggested he had survived as he was wearing a bullet-proof vest, but it is now understood that this was not the case.
Gilligan is reported to have spent the day in the pub as part of christening celebrations, and only returned to the house at Greenfort Crescent at around 6.30pm - having been dropped off by his daughter, Tracey.
It is believed that the hitmen had tracked his movements in a silver-coloured SUV throughout the day to wait for their opportunity to strike. At approximately 7.10pm, they made their move.
When the masked man called at the door Gilligan fled through the house, with the raiders shooting him in the living room, hallway and toilet as he attempted to escape – before they themselves made their escape.
When Gardai arrived at the scene of the shooting they were confronted by an angry mob that had assembled there.
The scene of last night's shooting in Clondalkin
Such was the air of tension that the Gardai who first responded to the shooting felt it was prudent to call for back-up, as they feared a mini-riot could break out at any moment.
It was the same house where Gilligan celebrated his release when he got out of Portlaoise Prison on October 14.
