Bray murder could be linked to 1999 killing

GARDAÍ are investigating if there is a link between the shooting dead of a man in Bray, Co Wicklow, and the murder of a suspected heroin dealer six years ago.

Detectives will examine if Vincent O’Brien was murdered in revenge for the death of the man on nearby Greystones beach in 1999.

Mr O’Brien, 53, was shot repeatedly in the head and chest at his house in Kilbride Grove.

He was sitting on a sofa in his living room when he was shot at close range at 10.30pm on Wednesday.

Gardaí are investigating if his attacker broke into the house.

The assailant is believed to have shot Mr O’Brien five times.

The attacker then fled the scene on foot carrying a white plastic bag.

Mr O’Brien was taken to Loughlinstown Hospital, but died shortly after 11pm.

Detectives said the victim was well known to them and they were following a number of lines of inquiry.

Residents ran to Mr O’Brien’s assistance after they heard a shotgun blast.

Next door neighbour Breda Tobin said: “I was in my kitchen with my husband when we heard these really loud bangs.

“When I went into his house, I saw him lying on the sofa covered in blood. He seemed to be gagging for breath and he seemed to be nearly gone.”

Mr O’Brien was a father-of-one and was thought to have been living alone for a number of years

Sinn Féin councillor John Brady, who lives 30 metres away from the victim, said he arrived about two minutes after the shooting.

“The police car more or less pulled up by the time I was there and in the process of setting up a cordon. The ambulance was not there yet. Some local residents were inside carrying out CPR and that on Vincent.”

Mr Brady said he would not speculate on possible reasons behind the killing.

“We have a very active residents association and people take pride in the estate.

“It’s a tight knit community. To have a neighbour like this shot in cold blood, it’s just very traumatising for everyone,” he said.

He said some people had seen the flash of the gun and the attacker escaping.

Supt Phil Moynihan of Bray Garda Station said the attacker was believed to be 5.8ft, wearing a dark hoody and peaked cap.

“We’re looking for the assistance of the public if anyone saw that person or somebody of that description between 10.30pm and 10.45pm,” he said.