Staunton becomes fifth gangland killing

THE murder of Gerard “Topper” Staunton is only the fifth gangland killing to occur in Cork, but the fifth nationally this month.

It is widely acknowledged that the killing of Michael Crinnion in Cork on April 8, 1995, was the first gangland killing in this country. Crinnion, an enforcer for the O’Flynn crime family, was gunned down outside the Clannad bar in Barrack Street. The 35-year-old was involved in a number of punishment beatings of members of opposing gangs, and even errant members of his own gang.

At the time, the O’Flynn gang controlled most of Cork’s drugs trade.