Gangland-style murders in 2004: five killed so far

Saturday's gangland murder in Dublin brings to five the number of people killed in gangland-style attacks since the beginning…

Saturday's gangland murder in Dublin brings to five the number of people killed in gangland-style attacks since the beginning of 2004, two fewer than in the same period last year.

January 27th - Alan Greene (30), was stabbed to death in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin. He was serving a nine-month sentence for drugs possession. Gardaí believe he fell foul of other criminal elements and was killed as a result. A makeshift knife was recovered from the prison but a prisoner code of silence has hampered Garda efforts in catching the killer.

February 1st - Kenneth Byrne (30), was shot dead at his home in St Theresa's Gardens flats complex in Dolphin's Barn when he went to answer a call at the door. He was a member of the "Umbrella Gang" who hid their faces from security cameras during robberies in the 1990s by using umbrellas. He had just been released from prison when shot. Gardaí believe he may have been targeted by former associates in a revenge attack. No charges to date.

February 25th - Paul Warren (23), also of St Theresa's Gardens was shot dead in Gray's pub, formerly the Red Lion, at Newmarket Square, off Cork Street, Dublin. Two masked gunmen entered the pub and pursued the victim into the toilets where they shot him. He was involved in the drugs trade but was not a major drug dealer. Gardaí believe he may have been targeted in a gangland feud. No charges to date.

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March 7th - Brendan Cox (40), Cleggan Road, Ballyfermot, was shot twice at Clifton Road, Ballyfermot, by a masked man who approached him on the street. The victim was known to gardaí and the shooting had all the hallmarks of a gangland killing.

After the murder gardaí were probing the dead man's links to the underworld but were also exploring the possibility he was targeted as a result of a personal dispute. No charges to date.

Compiled by Conor Lally