Crime gang linked to killing of ‘informant’

KENNETH BYRNE was watching television with his sister when there was a knock on the door. His mother was upstairs sleeping.

The 30-year-old would have been wary of any late night visitors. He had enemies, some dating back to his days as a member of a gang of armed robbers who terrorised south Dublin in early to mid-1998, some from his days in prison, where he gained a reputation for being volatile.

Byrne called out "Who's there?" to the shadowy figure on the other side of the glass panelled door. The only answer was three shots fired in quick succession. He was hit twice, once in the chest and then, as he turned to escape, in the back of the head.