Phone records may hold key to drugs murder

GARDAÍ will analyse the phone records of murdered drug dealer David ‘Boogie’ Brett.

Brett’s body was found beside a 1999 Cork-registered Audi in a rural area four miles from Ballydesmond, north Cork. He had been shot in the head.

The 34-year-old is thought to have been lured to the spot from his home in Liscaroll on the pretence of a drug deal.

Garda sources said they were investigating whether the killer or accomplices telephoned Brett to set up the meeting.

Yesterday, the small road where Brett’s body was found remained closed as forensic officers cut back the undergrowth to search for evidence.

Officers carried out a fingertip examination of the area around the local school. Using dog teams, they extended the search by several hundred metres to include dense woods.

They also continued house-to-house enquiries, asking residents to fill out questionnaires.

Brett’s body was discovered at the front of Foyle primary school, which was closed yesterday.

Principal John Walsh said it will remain closed today because it is an election polling station, but should open tomorrow.

Superintendent Noel Galwey, who is leading the investigation, said: “We have a strong team of searchers from the nearby divisions and another team doing local enquiries.”

He said they expected to have the search completed by last night.

Superintendent Galwey asked anyone with information on the killing to contact the incident room at Kanturk Garda station on 029 20684.

The Ballydesmond community association is to hold a meeting this evening at which Supt Galwey will be questioned.

According to the association’s chairman, Sean Kelly, they will ask why the garda previously stationed permanently in Ballydesmond has been relocated to Rathmore and why there is now only a garda there for two hours in the evening. They are also expected to ask why nothing has been done to stop non-locals gathering in the area where Brett was shot to distribute drugs, even though complaints have been lodged with the gardaí on a number of occasions.

Mr Kelly said that given what had happened on Monday night, it seemed even more inappropriate that there was no full-time officer in the town.

“We are a catchment area for Limerick, Cork and Kerry,” he said. “We want Supt Galwey to get us more gardaí in the area.”