Detectives investigating the murder of a former associate of Martin Cahill have recovered the black Mazda car they believe wasused in killing.
Sources have named the man as Séamus "Shavo" Hogan (47), who had convictions for robbery, burglary, shooting at gardaí and possession of firearms. In recent years he became a major figure in the supply of heroin and cocaine in Dublin city.
He was shot dead by two masked men as he sat in his car in Crumlin at 9.30 last night.
It is believed the gunmen then left the scene in a black Mazda 323 car with "92 KE" as part of the registration.
It was the third attempt on Séamus Hogan's life. In September 1998 he was shot in the back as he walked home from a pub with his wife Lily, near Crumlin village.
It is understood he pushed his wife, who was a passenger, out of the car last night and attempted to drive off but died at the scene from his wounds.
In July 1998 Hogan was shot at with a handgun from a car as he walked along the street in Crumlin. He was not injured in this attack.
In the 1980s he and another associate of the General, Mr Martin Foley, known as the Viper, became known as spokesmen for a group of Dublin criminals who clashed with the Concerned Parents anti-drugs movement. They dubbed themselves the Concerned Criminals Action Committee
Mr Foley, too, has had several attempts made on his life.
Hogan died last night as he sat in his car at the junction of Clogher Road and Rutland Avenue.
His body has been taken to the city morgue in Marino where a post mortem was carried out this afternoon. His car has been taken to the Garda compound in Santry for technical examination.
Hogan was facing charges of possession of cannabis resin and was due to be tried in the Special Criminal Court.
