GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING the shooting dead of a man in a bookie's shop on Saturday afternoon believe his murder was linked to a dispute with drug dealers known to him.
Christopher Barry (25), from Middle Third, Killester in Dublin, was shot in Byrne's Bookmakers on Killester Avenue just before 3pm.
His killer followed him into the shop and discharged a number of shots from a handgun.
Gardaí believe the shooting was linked to an ongoing feud between gangs in Crumlin and Drimnagh, which had already claimed 10 lives.
The father-of-one was fatally wounded in the head. The gunman, who was wearing a motorbike helmet, ran from the shop and sped from the scene on a motorbike.
Gardaí believe a motorbike found on fire at La Vista Avenue close to the murder scene was the bike used by the killer. Less than two hours after the attack gardaí arrested two men in Tallaght, west Dublin.
They were detained under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and can be held for up to 72 hours without charge. The men, both of whom are in their 20s, are being held at Clontarf and Raheny Garda stations.
A van, which gardaí believe may be linked to the shooting, was also seized. It was being examined last night.
Gardaí sealed off the murder scene and it was examined by members of the Garda Technical Bureau. The motorbike was also taken for examination.
Mr Barry's killing was the 15th gun murder of the year. Two other men - David Lyndsay (38) and Alan Napper (39), both from Baldoyle, Dublin - are missing, presumed dead.
Twelve of this year's confirmed gun murders have been linked to gangland crime.
Another was paramilitary-related while two other murders are believed to be linked to personal disputes.
Mr Barry was known to gardaí in Dublin for his involvement in the city's drug trade. He was known to associate with members of a gang based in the Crumlin and Drimnagh areas.
That gang has been embroiled in a feud with a rival crime syndicate, also based in Crumlin and Drimnagh.
Fine Gael's spokesman on justice, Charlie Flanagan TD, said those behind Mr Barry's murder and other recent killings had no regard for life. He urged Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern to ensure Garda resources were not reduced.
He said "indiscriminate gangland attacks have become a regular feature of Irish weekends" at a time when the Government is preparing a series of cost-cutting measures.