Gardaí name pub shooting victim

A 30-year-old man shot dead in a north Dublin pub last night was named by Gardaí today.

Anthony Russel, from Cromcastle Drive in the Kilmore area, was gunned down while having a drink in the Ardlea Inn in Artane.

Gardaí are linking the shooting to an ongoing feud between criminal gangs in Dublin’s northside.

It is understood the victim had a string of previous convictions and had survived a previous attempt on his life.

Two masked gunmen entered the premises at around 8.30pm and singled out Mr Russell before shooting him a number of times in the upper body.

He died later in the Beaumont Hospital.

Gardaí are currently examining CCTV footage from the bar, having taken statements from a number of eyewitnesses.

The assailants, who used a handgun, are both described as being over 6ft.

They were wearing dark clothes and a balaclava and fled in a silver-coloured Nissan Almera car.

Fine Gael’s justice spokesman Charles Flanagan TD said gangland killings were becoming an almost weekly occurrence and called for tougher sentences for those responsible.

“This latest killing was carried out in a busy pub, with no regard for innocent bystanders,” he said.

“A minimum 25-year sentence should be imposed on those convicted of murder. We also need mandatory sentences for serious crime, including drugs crime.

“I have also called for increased garda resources to enable round the clock surveillance of criminals. This was proposed by sections of the Gardai four years ago, but was never brought in.

“Life sentences for murder must be a genuine deterrent. That is why I am calling for a 25-year mandatory minimum sentence for murder cases. Human life is devalued when murderers, including gangland criminals, end up serving only 12 or 13 years for what is supposed to be a sentence for life.”