Investigation begins into gangland murder

Detectives investigating the murder of a prominent Dublin criminal on Saturday night will meet this morning to review the case.

47-year-old Seamus Hogan died after two assassins fired up to seven shots into his car in the Crumlin area of the capital.

A former associate of the General, Martin Cahill, Mr Hogan had survived two previous attempts on his life. He was known to gardai and was due in court soon on a drugs charge.

Detectives are believed to be examining the possibility of paramilitary involvement in Mr Hogan's death.

They have said it bears all the hallmarks of a professional assassination.

The gunmen are believed to have made their getaway in a black Mazda car, which was recovered by gardai yesterday and is still being examined by a garda technical squad.

Investigators are also trying to trace a silver car seen speeding from the scene of the murder, at the junction between Rutland Avenue and Clogher Road.

A team of 40 gardai has been assigned to this case and they have already carried out door-to-door inquiries in the Crumlin area.

The results of a post mortem examination on Mr Hogan's body are expected later today.