Man may have shot self by mistake
Victor Murphy is thought to have been part of a gang of three or four who drove to a Traveller site in Finglas, north Dublin, to shoot some petty drug dealers.
However, as he attempted to open fire, he may have inadvertently shot himself.
“They went with the intentions of shooting a number of young fellas doing petty dealing, who owed them money,” claimed a local source.
“They drove in, the young fellas ran, he bent down to pick up the weapon and it went off.”
Murphy, 30, from Deanstown Green in Finglas, was found on the side of Dunsink Lane, around half a mile from the campsite at 5.20am on Wednesday.
It is believed the incident occurred earlier.
The blood-stained car in which Murphy was in was found in nearby Berryfield Road at 1am.
Gardaí suspect the people with Murphy dumped his body before leaving the stolen car at Berryfield, where some of the victim’s associates live.
Murphy was not thought to have been a major drug dealer himself, but was associated with a significant supplier in the Finglas area.
Gardaí at Blanchardstown Station, carrying out the investigation, said they were following up a number of incidents which the gang had been reportedly involved in.
A garda source said they were examining the incidents, but that so far none of them checked out and that no witnesses had come forward.
“We are attempting to find the location where the shot was discharged. We have not come up with anything yet,” said one garda.
Forensic examination on the car is expected to finish today and may provide the investigating team with further evidence.
Gardaí appealed for anyone with information to contact them at Blanchardstown Garda Station at 666-7000 or on the Garda Confidential Line on 1-8000-666-111.
