Gunman’s Toyota Celica focus of Moloney murder

GARDAÍ investigating the shooting of Mark Moloney in Limerick last Saturday have focused their investigation on the movements of the black Toyota Celica used by the gunman.

Mr Moloney was shot dead because of a friendship with a known member of the Keane Collopy gang.

Members of the rival McCarthy Dundon gang are the prime suspects.

The car used in the murder was bought privately near Cahir last Wednesday.

Gardaí are now accessing scores of CCTV systems in the city to try and pick up movements of the car in the days prior to the murder and in the immediate aftermath of the murder.

Mr Moloney was shot dead as he walked near the home of Kieran Keane who was murdered by the McCarthy Dundon gang in January 2003.

And the murder car was found burned out near the spot at Drombana where Kieran Keane was shot dead. Sources in Limerick claim that both locations indicate that the McCarthy Dundons are sending a sinister message about their involvement in the Moloney murder.

A friend of Mr Moloney is suspected of having carried out the murder of Noel Crawford in Southill in December 2006.

Mr Crawford had no criminal history and was mistaken for his brother Paul: a known associate of the McCarthy Dundons. A number of attempts have been made on his life.

Inspector John O’Reilly said they want to hear from anybody who may have seen the black Celica, which he described as a flashy car with alloy wheels, pop-up lights and a rear spoiler.

Its registration number is 91 TS 2704.

Mr Moloney, who lived at Claugaun Road, Garryowen, is understood to have been on his way to back a horse in the Grand National when he was gunned down in cold blood.