By Paddy Clancy

An innocent 20-year-old plumber was being mourned across Ireland after he died in gangland hit on Tuesday that also claimed the life of a vicious suspected drugs godfather and multiple killer.

Anthony Fitzgerald lived with his parents in a tight-knit central Dublin community close to the landmark Bridewell Garda (police) station.

Detectives believe he died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when gunmen arrived to kill 39-year-old North Dublin underworld boss Martin Hyland, who was shot dead as he slept in his bed at home in a cul-de-sac at Scribblestown Park in the suburb of Cabra.

Fitzgerald, who was carrying out plumbing work in the house, is believed to have been shot dead in the hallway as a precaution against him identifying the killer or killers.

The bodies were discovered by Fitzgerald’s boss on his return to the house after a short break to tend to business elsewhere.

Neighbors of the Fitzgerald family were stunned when news of Anthony’s death reached them. “He was a lovely lad who was well-liked in the community. What kind of animals are the people who did this?” one said.

There were few similar sentiments for Hyland. A senior detective said, “He was evil to his fingertips. He ruled his crime patch through fear. He was one of the biggest drugs dealers in town –- probably the top man. He thought nothing of dirtying his hands by getting involved in shootings himself.”

Hyland was suspected of involvement in a number of recent contract killings in and around the Dublin area. He was a prime target of Operation Oak, established by Gardai to target major gangland figures.

Garda Super-intendent Kevin Donohoe said Hyland was warned in September of threats to his life from criminal figures he may have had dealings with in the past. He was known to move from house to house in a bid to keep his movements secret.

A burnt-out VW Passat car was found off Griffith Avenue in nearby Glasnevin. Cops were trying to establish if it was linked to the double murder.

The deaths bring to 23 the number of people who have been shot dead this year -– the worst 11-month record for almost a decade.

Fine Gael Justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe and Labor Party Justice spokesman Brendan Howlin said they feared a gangland war would result from the killings.

O’Keeffe said, “The shooting dead of such a prominent criminal presents the horrific prospect of an all-out bloodbath in gangland. The government promised that families would once again feel safe in their homes, but has failed to make anyone feel safer.”

Howlin accused Justice Minister Michael McDowell of “complacency” in the face of rising gun crime and the tenfold increase in heroin imports into Ireland in the past year.