Gardaí are continuing to examine a handgun found in a wheelie bin close to the scene of Thursday’s fatal shooting in Dublin’s north inner city.

24-year-old Martin O’Rourke was killed after being shot six times on Sheriff Street.

According to Cormac O’Keeffe of The Irish Examiner the attack is being linked to the feud between the Kinahan crime cartel and the Hutch gang, which has claimed five lives, including four in Dublin in 10 weeks.

Yesterday’s target, a senior Hutch figure, is thought to have left a pub onto Lower Sheriff St in Dublin’s north inner city, at the same time as a homeless man was passing.

It is thought both men ran for cover when a gunman approached and that the victim may have ended up stuck between the gunman and his intended target.

Gardaí said up to six shots were fired, at least two hitting the victim, who suffered fatal head injuries. The gunman escaped on a bicycle down Sheriff St.

The victim was named locally as Martin O’Rourke, aged 24. He was described as having a “chaotic lifestyle”, blighted by drugs, drink, homelessness, and low-level criminality.

He was a father and had an address in the Bridewell area, but was in and out of emergency accommodation and drug-addiction services.

Gardaí made quick progress and discovered a handgun, the suspected murder weapon, dumped into a wheelie bin nearby.

The gunman also abandoned his bicycle and fled on foot. He is described as being of strong build and wore black clothing and possibly had a scarf over his face.