Hopes for breakthrough in murder of bouncer

GARDAÍ in Limerick said they are confident of another breakthrough in their investigation into the murder of night club bouncer Brian Fitzgerald.

A decision is expected shortly from the Director of Public Prosecutions on a significant file sent to his office on the vicious murder Mr Fitzgerald, who was gunned down by a local crime family after he tried to stop drugs being sold in the club.

Fitzgerald, aged 34, was shot dead on the morning of November 29, 2002, after he returned home to Brook Haven in Corbally from work at Doc’s night club.

The McCarthy-Dundon gang hired gunman, James Martin Cahill to carry out the murder. Cahill, aged 30, from Birmingham pleaded guilty last year for the crime and was jailed for life.

Since then he has given a detailed statement to gardaí into the gang members who hired him and those who assisted him in the murder.

As a result of these interviews and an huge garda investigation, a file was sent to the DPP’s office some months ago.

It is believed a number of dangerous criminals linked to serious crime in Limerick have been named by Cahill.

Those named include a West Clare businessman who Cahill says hired him on behalf of a Limerick city crime gang boss, known as Mr Big.

The Clare businessman travelled to Britain on the same ferry as Cahill the day after the murder.

Mr Big ordered the murder of Brian Fitzgerald, a father of two, because he feared he would give a statement to gardaí about a threat Mr Big made.

Mr Big was afraid that if this went to court it would lead to a suspended jail sentence being activated.