Tragic dad shot dead on way to work was expecting fourth child with partner

An innocent dad who was shot dead on his way to work was expecting his fourth child with his partner.

John Lawless, 39, was killed in a random shooting in Darndale, Dublin at 6.25am this morning.

The dad-of-three’s partner is heartbroken as they were looking forward to the birth of their next child, reports the Irish Mirror .

He was shot as he walked from his home along Marigold Crescent on his way to work.

Mr Lawless was critically injured and removed by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Shortly after the shooting a silver Ford Focus was found partially burnt out in a nearby street.

It is believed that this car may have been used in the shooting and was stolen in the course of a burglary in the Santry area on January 1.

The two scenes at Marigold Crescent and Greenwood Avenue have been examined by a team from the Garda Technical Bureau.

The Coroner and State Pathologist Offices were informed and the body of Mr Lawless was taken to the Dublin City Mortuary, Whitehall.

A post mortem examination is currently taking place and is being performed by the Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis.

A motive for the shooting has not been established at this stage.

The victim is not known to Gardaí for involvement in serious criminal activity.