Wednesday night saw yet another gangland killing in Dublin, with the shooting dead of a 25-year-old man in the vicinity of the International Financial Services Centre. Shortly before 9:00pm two men in balaclavas fired a number of shots at Gerard Batt Byrne as he stood at the door of the Mace Supermarket on Lower Mayor Street, close to the National College of Ireland. He was later pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital.
Thursday morning's newspapers described the victim as a violent criminal who had been involved in a number of armed robberies and who had threatened to kill specific members of An Garda Síochána. Most recently he was arrested in a stolen car on his way, gardaí believe, to carry out a contract killing.
In the immediate aftermath of these murders the Garda Press Office announced that, with effect from Friday, the Organised Crime Unit was being strengthened with the addition of 20 new members, bringing its headcount up to 70. The unit, it was stated, would work closely with other specialist units in mounting an intensified campaign against the country's main criminal gangs.
About Me
- Liam Ferrie
- After a career in the IT sector I spent the final 25 years of my working life, along with my wife Pauline, as online publisher to the Irish Diaspora. From 1987 onward the email version of the Irish Emigrant became a vital link with home for many Irish people who had settled overseas. In retirement I am involved with the Computer and Communications Museum of Ireland. I also travel when the opportunity arises and most years Pauline and I walk a Camino to Santiago de Compostela.