Botched drug deal may have sealed murder victim's fate

A suspected drug dealer gunned down in his own home as his baby daughter slept upstairs may have been murdered over a botched drugs deal, detectives indicated tonight.

The body of Sean Cloherty, aged 27, was discovered in the front downstairs living room at Ashcroft Grove, Blakestown, north-west Dublin.

It is believed his killer was invited into the house last night before opening fire several times, leaving the victim with a number of fatal gunshot wounds to the neck.

Mr Cloherty’s 17-month-old daughter was asleep in an upstairs room at the time and is thought to have been undisturbed by the assassination.

Investigating detectives said they are looking at a number of avenues of inquiry but believe it could be linked to the seizure of a substantial amount of heroin in August.

The victim, who was known as a low-level gangland criminal, was arrested and questioned after gardai recovered around €300,000 worth of the drug in Balbriggan, north Dublin, in August.

One theory is that he was murdered because of the bust.

Mr Cloherty’s partner and other child, who lived with him and his daughter at Ashcroft Grove, were out of the house at the time of the killing.

It is believed they had only moved into the area recently.

Superintendent John Harnett appealed for anybody who was in the area between 4pm and 8pm yesterday and who may have seen anything suspicious to get in contact with gardai at Blanchardstown.

The murder scene remained sealed today off for a full Garda technical examination while the body was removed for a post mortem examination.

Joan Burton, deputy leader of the Labour Party, claimed the latest killing showed the Government has failed to get to grips with gangland and gun crime.

“This is the 18th gun murder to take place so far this year, and the law-abiding people in the area are appalled by this latest death,” she said.

“They expect and are entitled to a better policing service.”