David began his career at the age of nineteen writing and directing non-professional theater in Limerick City with the one-act drama Class Control.
Variety called it; 'A satisfying blend of crime drama and geopolitical think piece about a Congolese refugee in Dublin, [The Front Line] sustains high levels of suspense while delivering an emotional wallop.
'[7] The Sunday Independent (Ireland) commented; 'Gleeson has delivered a terrific film that reminds us what big screens were made for, and it deserves to be a smash.
'[8] In 2008, Gleeson signed with Creative Artists Agency and sold his time travel sci-fi spec screenplay 'The End of History'[9] to Sony Pictures and Original Film.
[citation needed] In July 2017, Gleeson began principal photography on his third film as writer and director, Don't Go, starring Stephen Dorff and Melissa George.