Gardaí hunt for lone gunman after ‘callous’ killing

GARDAÍ were last night hunting for a lone gunman after a leading boxing official was shot dead in front of his girlfriend following a row with another man.

John Mahon, from 24 St Bernard’s Place in Fermoy, Co Cork, died in the drive of his sister’s home after he was shot in an execution-style attack in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Gardaí said it was too early to speculate on a motive and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Mr Mahon, a former boxing champion, vice president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA) and president of the IABA’s Munster branch, had been drinking in Kerin’s Pub in the centre of Fermoy from about 11.30pm on Saturday night.

Mr Mahon, a separated father-of-five, left the pub at midnight and walked towards Fermoy Bridge. Gardaí said a number of witnesses saw him having a row with another man on the bridge a few minutes later.

That man was described last night as in his late 40s or early 50s, about five foot eight or nine, with short grey hair and wearing a light green sleeveless top. Gardaí are anxious to trace that man to rule him out of their enquiries.

Mr Mahon was then picked up on the bridge by his girlfriend and driven towards his home at 24 St Bernard’s Place, off the Dublin Road.

The couple parked outside Mr Mahon’s house and spent up to half an hour talking.

Mr Mahon was making his way towards the gate of his home just after 12.30pm when he was approached by a lone gunman. One shot was fired wounding Mr Mahon.

He ran around the corner of the terrace towards his sister Iris Higgins’s house at 11 St Bernard’s Place with the gunman in pursuit.

Mr Mahon’s girlfriend also ran towards the house and saw the gunman fire again. Mr Mahon collapsed in the drive, close to the front door.

It is understood the gunman then stood over him and fired another shot into his body.

The gunman then walked out of the estate towards the Dublin Road.

Superintendent Flor Horan appealed for witnesses who may have seen the gunman at this stage to contact gardaí.

St Bernard’s Place was sealed off yesterday. Gardaí were examining CCTV footage taken from nearby shops and garages last night in a bid to trace the gunman’s movements.

Door-to-door enquiries are expected to continue in the area.

“Mr Mahon’s girlfriend was shocked and traumatised as you would expect,” Supt Horan said.

“This is totally strange for a peaceful town like Fermoy.”

Local Fianna Fáil Cllr John Murphy, who knew Mr Mahon well, said he was a good community man.

“He kept young fellas off the street. He did a lot of good for the youth of the town. It’s a terrible shock, the whole town is numbed.”

Fr Tony O’Brien, who administered the last rights, described the murder as “horrific” and “callous.”

“I would appeal to the person involved to give yourself up,” he said.

“I pray that he will be found and brought to justice.”

Detectives have set up an incident room at Fermoy Garda station. Anyone with information can contact 025-82100.