Detectives believe ‘spotter’ aided McNally gunman

Detectives believe that a “spotter” gave information to a gunman who shot dead a father of three in a Dublin pub exactly a month ago.

Gardaí have joined forces with Crimestoppers in an appeal for information which might help catch a four-man crew who carried out a brutal and clinical gangland hit on Alan McNally.

The victim had been on a day-long drinking session with a friend at the Cappagh Nua pub, in Finglas, north Dublin, when, in the early hours of Feb 2, he was shot four times at close range.

Gardaí believe a drinker in the pub acted as a spotter for the murder.

They suspect the killing was carried out so the 36-year-old could not avenge the murder of his brother, Graham McNally, two years previously.

Graham McNally was a senior figure in a major gang network headed by crime boss Eamon Dunne, who was himself subsequently gunned down in neighbouring Cabra.

It is thought Dunne ordered the murder of his right-hand man.

The remnants of Dunne’s gang — which has since reformed — are suspected of being behind Alan McNally’s murder.

Det Insp Kieran McEneaney, who is leading the investigation, said: “This murder was particularly brutal, it was clinical.

“It was your typical gangland murder. The gunman had no regard whatsoever for entering into a license premises with other occupants in it and firing a number of shots and killing Alan McNally.”

He said the killer singled out his victim and fired four shots into him with a Glock handgun.

He said the murder was carried out by a four-man gang and gardaí knew their identities.

“It’s fair to say we know the gang members that were involved in this particular murder — up to four persons. We’re talking in terms of planning, the preparation, the persons involved in the actual killing and those who would have secured safe lodgings and helped these people after the murder.”

Det Insp McEneaney said that an accomplice outside the pub wore a mask, similar to that worn in the horror film Scream.

He said gardaí believed the gang were still living in the community.

Det Insp McEneaney said the mother of the McNally brothers had recently taken ill as a result of the murder and had been hospitalised.

*Crimestoppers can be contacted on 1800 250025.