Man’s partner and children inches away as he was shot

THE gunman who shot dead a 41-year-old convicted drugs dealer with his partner and her two children just inches away showed a “callous and brutal disregard for human life”, according to investigating gardaí.

Wednesday night’s killing of Gerard ‘Topper’ Staunton at his home in Westlawn, off the Sarsfield Road in Cork city, bore all the hallmarks of a professional gangland murder, except for the getaway vehicle.

Superintendent Charlie Barry, who is leading the Garda investigation, said he was surprised the killer had chosen an 18-year-old van for his escape.