Doorman shot dead foiling bomb bid, inquest hears

A doorman guarding a republican social function at the Widow Scallan’s pub in Dublin was shot dead while trying to fend off a loyalist bomb attack, an inquest heard today.

Martin Doherty, 35, from Ballymun, Dublin died on Pearse St after he was shot several times in the chest by gunmen on May 21, 1994.

The court heard that a Northern Ireland registered car pulled up outside the pub and two men alighted to try to plant a “substantial” bomb in the public house.

Supt John Fitzpatrick told the Dublin City Coroner’s Court: “They were challenged by the deceased as a result of which he was shot outside the premises. He managed to close the door of the premises.”

The inquest heard there were more than 150 people on the premises for the function, as well as the televised boxing match between Chris Eubank and Ray Close, and if the bomb had exploded it would have had devastating consequences.

The coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, said Mr Doherty had lost his life challenging the gunmen, who were forced to abandon the bomb outside.

One witness, David Coakley, who would have been 14 at the time, told how they heard shots as they stood outside a chip shop near the pub.

He told the court that a right-handed gunman shot a man lying on the ground several times with a handgun before he jumped into a gold coloured car parked outside the pub.

“The wheels spun as they started off and the tyres screeched and they took off up Pearse Street,” he said.

Three witnesses said the gunman stared at them as the three-men drove off and described him as in his 20s or early 30s, about six-foot tall, of light build with short black hair.

Mr Coakley told the court he spotted a black sports bag, about two feet-long planted near the pub.

Supt John Fitzpatrick, who was at the scene, said the army bomb disposal unit was called in to deal with the partially exploded bomb, which was primed to go off.

“There was a partial detonation but the main bomb did not go off.”

A statement from a deceased witness, Peter Hanlon, told how the bomb caused panic when it partially exploded.

The Northern Ireland car, which was later found burnt out, was seen on its way into Dublin but the superintendent said there was no reason for police to stop it.

“We still have an unsolved murder and the file remains open. To date no-one has been made amenable,” Supt Fitzpatrick said. “All aspects were dealt with.”

He declined to comment on who was responsible for the gun and bomb attack as the investigation was ongoing.

Supt Fitzpatrick said: “No-one has been made amenable in relation to this particular incidence.”

A sister of the deceased, Rose, said she had been to many of these functions and there was always a Garda car outside.

She asked the superintendent how come it was removed on that occasion.

Supt Fitzpatrick said those were operations carried out by the special detective unit and he could not go into security issues.

The post mortem exam from the former State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, showed Mr Doherty had died as a result of bullet wounds in his heart and lungs.

Dr Farrell said: “By Martin’s brave actions he may have saved the lives of very many people.

“I would appeal to anyone in Ireland or Northern Ireland to come forward even at this late stage to assist the gardaí and the PSNI.”

The jury passed a verdict of unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.