Breakthrough in crime boss and plumber’s deaths

GARDAÍ made their first arrests yesterday in relation to a double murder when a young plumber was shot dead during the assassination of crime boss Martin ‘Marlo’ Hyland last year.

The arrests mark an important breakthrough in the investigation into the killing of Mr Hyland and innocent bystander Anthony Campbell. The pair were gunned down at the home of Mr Hyland’s niece in Finglas, north Dublin, last December.

Mr Campbell, 20, who was a plumber doing a job in the house at the time, was shot dead by the assassins to rule him out as a possible witness, it’s believed.

The double murder, particularly that of Mr Campbell, caused public outrage and played a part in the decision by Justice Minister Michael McDowell to propose a new crackdown on organised crime.

Gardaí set up a major investigation into the killings and set about locating and interviewing associates of Mr Hyland in an attempt to determine which, if any, of them may have been behind the murders.

A large number of people were located, many of whom willingly spoke to officers to exclude themselves from suspicion. However, some associates, including key suspects, did not help gardaí with their inquiries.

Detectives made speedy progress and yesterday carried out their first arrests in connection with the case. The two men, in their 20s, were arrested by detectives in the Blanchardstown area of west Dublin.

They were detained under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act on suspicion of withholding information.

Garda sources said the men were not considered to be the actual suspects for the murder but were suspected of having information in relation to it.

One was taken to Blanchardstown Garda Station and the other to Finglas Garda Station.

Garda intend to hold them for 48 hours, at which time they will decide whether or not to go to court to seek a further extension of 24 hours.

Officers also conducted a number of searches yesterday morning.

Mr Hyland was a top criminal player in north Dublin.