A lone gunman fired multiple shots into the back of a shopkeeper in a targeted killing, an inquest heard yesterday.
Jason Egan (23), from Dromheath Avenue in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, was shot dead outside his shop at Parslickstown, west Dublin, on October 23rd, 2009.
Gardaí believe his murder was in retaliation for an accidental killing by one of his brothers. However, Det Insp Colm Murphy told Dublin Coroner's Court that though the investigation remains open, the prospect of a file going to the Director of Public Prosecutions is "limited".
Dublin Coroner’s Court heard Mr Egan had just closed his shop at about 8.30pm and was getting into his van when the gunman approached.
His friend Aidan Burke told the court he was getting into the passenger side when he heard “three or four shots”.
When he ran to the back of the van he saw a person clad in black running away. The gunman fired one more shot as he ran, he said.
“I ran around to Jason who was lying on the ground beside the driver’s door. I lifted his head up. He asked me to ring an ambulance. He didn’t say anything else,” he said.
When paramedics arrived, Mr Egan was in cardiac arrest. He was taken to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown where he was pronounced dead soon after arrival. He died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body.
His distraught mother Carmen Egan told the court her son was just 23 days past his 23rd birthday when he was shot. She was not aware of any threats to his life, she said.
In November 2011 the Central Criminal Court heard gardaí believe Mr Egan's killing was in retaliation for his brother's accidental killing of suspected IRA member Wayne Doherty.
Robert Egan pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Doherty during a dispute between a group of men at Oakview Way in Hartstown in July 2009.