Hunt for two killers after double gangland murder

Two men were behind a vicious double murder at a flats complex in which an innocent bystander was gunned down, detectives revealed today.

Paddy Mooney, 58, was shot in his home at Pearse House in Dublin’s south inner city along with Brendan Molyneaux, aged in his mid-40s, shortly before 7pm yesterday.

Investigators believe Mr Molyneaux was visiting the flat and was the intended target because of his criminal links, while Mr Mooney was an innocent victim.

The murders came a day after the body of 29-year-old John Paul Joyce, a major drug-trafficking figure, was found shot dead in a ditch in the north of the city.

The brutal killings are the first gun-related deaths of 2010.

Pat Rabbitte, Labour Party justice spokesman, said the killings highlighted the Government’s failure to tackle gangland crime.

“The three shootings that took place in Dublin over the weekend are a clear indication that the Government has failed to tackle gangland crime, and gun crime in particular,” Mr Rabbitte said.

“The suggestion that these deaths came about as a result of criminal feuds will be cold comfort to those left behind, particularly in the light of the fact that at least one of those who was killed was an entirely innocent party.”

Michael Feehan, Assistant Garda Commissioner for the Dublin region, branded the three killings a tragedy and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

“Obviously it is a tragedy for all concerned, that there are two people murdered down in Pearse House and one person murdered up in the back of Dublin Airport.

“That is a tragedy, especially for the families of those people.”

It is believed one of the Pearse House assailants pulled the trigger and killed the two men.

Both were in their 20s, of medium build and average height and were wearing either baseball caps or balaclavas.

Four people remain in custody over the double killing and were being questioned at Pearse Street, Harcourt Terrace, Kevin Street and Kilmainham garda stations under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act.

Two of the men were in their mid 40s, while the third man and woman are in their mid 20s.

Detectives probing the killing of Mr Joyce, 29, believe the murder may be linked to a warring feud between rival drug gangs.

His bloodied remains were found dumped in a watery ditch in Dunbro Lane behind Dublin Airport on Saturday afternoon.

It is believed the settled traveller from Grove Road, on the Malahide Road in the north of the capital, was shot at least twice with a handgun.

Mr Joyce – whose brother Thomas was gunned down last June close to his home - was a leading criminal figure in a drug trafficking gang and was reported missing on Thursday by his girlfriend, garda sources said.

Mr Rabbitte said it was clear the criminal gangs have no regard for human life.

“While lucrative profits are to be made from supplying the demand for drugs the crime bosses will continue to meet that demand and are prepared to direct the use of whatever level of violence is necessary to protect their profits... regardless of the consequences,” he said.