Garda sceptical of Real IRA’s claim they killed drug dealer

GARDAÍ investigating the brutal murder of a convicted Cork-based drug dealer are sceptical of claims a Real IRA hit squad was behind the shooting.

Reports yesterday claimed the illegal organisation had claimed responsibility for the shooting of 42-year-old Gerard “Topper” Staunton eight days ago.

In a letter sent to a number of newspapers, representatives of the group behind the 1998 Omagh bombing claimed they murdered Mr Staunton because of his drugs world connections.