DPP ruling on prosecution of suspected killers awaited

A decision is due shortly on whether gardaí will be given the go-ahead to proceed with the prosecution of the suspected killers of a Cork drug dealer.

If gardaí get convictions against the killers of Gerard ‘Topper’ Staunton it will represent the first success in six outstanding cases of drug-related gangland killings — the first of which occurred in 1995 when Michael Crinnion was gunned down outside the Clannad Bar in Barrack Street.

Gardaí have confirmed they are awaiting a decision from the DPP on the murder of convicted drug dealer Staunton who was blasted at close range with a double barrel shotgun in front of his partner and two children outside their home at Westlawn, Wilton, on Jan 20, 2010. According to Garda sources they have identified a number of suspects.

A week after his murder the Real IRA issued a statement through the 32 County Sovereignty Movement claiming that its members had killed the 41-year-old.

At time the Real IRA also claimed responsibility for the killing of another convicted drugs dealer, Kieran O’Flynn. He was shot dead in the hallway of his home at Thorndale, off Dublin Hill, on Jun 7, 2001.

As a result of that statement, gardaí say they have also carried out a review of the O’Flynn case.

More than 80 people were arrested in connection with O’Flynn’s murder. But there have been no prosecutions.

The Real IRA has also claimed responsibility for other “punishment shootings”.

Less than two weeks ago the dissident group shot a man in the leg in the Ballyvolane area for what they called “unrepublican behaviour”. He was treated at CUH and hasn’t made a complaint to gardaí.

Meanwhile, the family of David “Boogie” Brett, who was murdered in a remote part of north Cork in May 2007, have made an emotional appeal through the Irish Examiner for information leading to the capture of his killer.