FORMER Labour Party leader, Pat Rabbitte, today described as "horrific" the Dublin shooting of the son of a close friend.

Robert 'Bobby' Delaney (27) was shot in the face as he looked out from a third-storey apartment early on Wednesday morning.

Gardai have still not established a motive for the shooting, which has left Mr Delaney in a critical condition in hospital.

Speaking about the crime, Deputy Rabbitte told the Herald that the incident was "unbelievable" and that the Delaney family were well liked.

"I knew him when he was a little fellow and I know his dad. It is an awful tragedy," said the Dail deputy.

"The family are in terrible anguish. It is just horrific for them."

Dad-of-two Delaney was shot at 6.30am on Wednesday in Fortunestown Way in Tallaght.

Sleeping

Postman Bobby Delaney was at home on the morning of the attack with his partner and two children, who were sleeping at the time of the gun raid.

His dad Terry Delaney is Communications Workers Union general secretary, and active in local politics -- at one stage he was a Workers Party councillor.

"I spoke with Terry and he told me [his son] is very seriously ill. He was shot in the face in an unbelievable act of cruelty that is beyond words," he said.

"It is an appalling tragedy to be visited on any family, and in this case, a family I know well and an innocent family," Deputy Rabbitte added.

Investigating detectives have renewed their appeal for the public's help in solving the ruthless crime.

Gardai are looking for information relating to an unregistered White Honda Integra R type car that was stolen on the morning of the shooting and found abandoned in a location close to the crime scene after the attack. Gardai are still piecing together details of the attack in an attempt to establish a firm motive for the shooting. It has been reported that the man was shot simply because he intervened in a pub row.

The victim remains in a seriously ill condition. He was transferred from Tallaght Hospital over night and moved to Beaumount Hospital, the Dublin hospital which specialises in head injuries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room at Tallaght Garda Station 01-6666 000 or the Garda Confidential Number 1-800-666-111.