‘No motive’ for murder of well-respected family man

GARDAÍ are conducting a massive investigation into the background of murder victim David D’Arcy to piece together why a “hard working and well-respected” man was shot dead in a gangland-style hit.

Mr D’Arcy was murdered in his van outside his home on Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot, south-west Dublin, shortly before 7am yesterday.

Mr D’Arcy, 39, had worked as a delivery man at nearby Whelan’s Meats for many years and leaves behind his partner, Mandy Haverty, his son David Jr, 18, and his 15-year-old daughter Janice.

Gardaí yesterday said they had no motive for the murder. Mr D’Arcy had no criminal convictions and was not known to gardaí.

Teams of gardaí are talking to his associates, colleagues and friends to see if they can uncover information that might point to a motive.

Detectives are examining Mr D’Arcy’s phones to check who he has been in contact with. They will also ask his family if they know anyone who might wish him harm.

Gardaí said Mr D’Arcy left his home as usual at 6.50am yesterday and was about to travel the short distance to his workplace at Robinhood Industrial Estate.

He got into his work van, which was parked in his driveway. When he began to reverse, a car pulled up behind him, blocking him in.

A man got out and fired up to four shots with a handgun through the van’s passenger window, fatally wounding Mr D’Arcy in the head and upper body.

The assailants fled in the car, which was later found burnt out nearby.

Gardaí and ambulance crew tried to resuscitate Mr D’Arcy, but to no avail.

Superintendent John Quirke, who is leading the investigation, described the victim as “a hard-working man who was well-respected by his colleagues, peers and neighbours”. He said gardaí did not have any motive at this stage.

Gardaí have begun the lengthy process of collecting and examining all CCTV footage in the area.

Detectives suspect Mr D’Arcy’s killers had his house under surveillance before the shooting, as they knew his exact movements.

They are appealing to people who saw anyone hanging around the area in the days running up to the murder to contact them.

They are also appealing to anyone who saw the car used in the murder. It is a dark blue Opel Astra, registration 99 CE 3047, stolen on November 23.

People can contact Ballyfermot Garda Station on 01 6667200 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

Parish priest Fr Patrick Reynolds told RTÉ he said prayers over Mr D’Arcy’s body. He said the family were “very broken” and the local community shocked.

Meanwhile, a man was unhurt after shots were fired through a window of his house at Hazel Hill, Tallaght, south Dublin.

Gardaí arrested two men and seized two firearms in a search afterwards.