Gardaí make fifth arrest over gangland murder

A fifth person was arrested today by gardaí probing the apparent gangland execution of a father-of-two.

The man in his 30s was arrested this morning and is being detained at Tallaght Garda Station under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. He is being held in connection with the killing of Sean McMahon, 35, in Tallaght almost a month ago.

Four people – aged 16, 21, 25 and 44 – were yesterday being questioned by detectives at garda stations in Tallaght and Rathfarnham over the murder.

A garda spokesman said: “Of the four persons arrested yesterday three have been released without charge.

“The fourth man remains in custody at Tallaght Garda station.”

Mr McMahon’s body was found in a house in Donomore Avenue, Tallaght, in the south-west of the capital, at around 12.30pm on November 14.

Investigating officers believe he was shot in the head as he slept and that his killer had probably broken into the house through the back door.

The murder was immediately denounced by politicians as the latest hit in a wave of gangland executions.

Mr McMahon was known to gardaí as an armed robber and associate of car dealer Brian Downes, who was shot dead along with Edward Ward in Walkinstown, Dublin, in October.