The killing of the man whose body was found yesterday near Dublin Airport brings to nine the number of murders believed to involve organised criminal elements since the start of the year.
This includes a similar murder to the one discovered on Sunday night, which occurred on May 21st at Mills Lane, Co Dublin, when a young man, Mr Martin Sweeney, from Ballyfermot, sustained serious head injuries.
On January 27th, Mr Paschal Boland, of Ashcroft Court, Mulhuddart, was shot dead in his driveway in what Garda sources said was a "gangland" style execution.
On January 7th a taxi driver, Mr John Dillon, from Glenties Park, Finglas, was shot dead at his home in an incident which Garda sources said was likely to involve criminal associates.
On January 15th, the body of Mr Ken Foley was found beaten and stabbed in an old people's complex in Jamestown Road, Inchicore.
At the end of March, Mr Thomas Reilly was shot dead in the car park of Premier Dairies in Rathfarnham, where he worked. The two men who shot him had asked for directions to the car park. Garda sources suggested the killing related to a dispute between groups involved in the drug trade.