The Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to visit Dublin’s North inner city this evening.

Mr Kenny had pledged to visit the area in the wake of the recent spate of gangland murders there.

An invite to the Taoiseach was issued by local Independent TD Maureen O’Sullivan.

His visit tonight is being described as a “listening exercise” with local community groups which will feed into the socio-economic task force being established for the area.

It is understood that community activists, school teachers and local residents will be among those to meet Mr Kenny.

The visit will be a private one and away from the media spotlight.