Notorious gangland figure 'Fat Deccy' Smith shot while dropping his son to crèche in Dublin.
Well-known criminal Declan 'Fat Deccy' Smith is in a critical condition in hospital after he was shot this morning while dropping his son to creche.
31 year-old Fat Deccy Smith was leaving his young son to the Little Rainbow's crèche on Hollywell Road in Donaghmede when he was shot at around 9.10am. Sources say he was approached by a loan gunman who fired one shot from a shotgun at close range.
He has been taken to hospital and his condition is described as critical.
Witnesses say the man was shot in the head as children were being dropped off to the crèche by parents.
Gardai are currently at the scene of the shooting and the children who attend the creche are understood to have been sent home for the day. Locals say they are shocked that a gunman would strike while innocent youngsters were being taken to pre-school for the day.
One witness said: "It is shocking to think this can happen outside a creche. What if he missed who he was shooting at and hit a child?".
Fat Deccy Smith is originally from Belfast. He is a well-known member of the Real IRA and was one of the best friends of slain RIRA boss Alan Ryan who was shot dead in September 2012.
Following Ryan's murder there was an internal feud within the Real IRA and Smith was shot in the leg in January 2013 after attempting to take control of the dissident group following Ryan's murder.
He was found dumped in a field in Saggart, Co. Dublin. Although a man was arrested close to the scene no charges were ever brought in the case.
Smith is wanted for questioning by the PSNI in connection with a double murder in Belfast in 2007. After the murders he fled to Dublin and became heavily involved with Alan Ryan and his crew.
However there were serious tensions between himself and his Northern comrades after he allegedly stole £40,000 of the terror group's money to fund his move down south.
