Murder accused knew gun victim’s brother, court told

A man accused of murdering a father of two in Dublin five years ago told gardaí he knew the deceased's girlfriend and "used to hang around with her little brother". Eugene Cullen (30), Derry Road, Crumlin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Séamus O'Byrne (27) at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on March 13th, 2009.

The Central Criminal Court has heard that Mr O'Byrne was shot dead by a hooded gunman outside his home in front of his girlfriend and child. It has also heard his girlfriend Sharon Rattigan tackled the assassin and was shot in the leg while seizing the gun from him.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Cullen was not the gunman, but one of four men involved in plotting, planning and executing the murder.

Yesterday the jury listened to memos of seven Garda interviews conducted with Mr Cullen at Tallaght Garda station after his arrest on March 13th, 2009.

He told gardaí in his third interview that he knew Ms Rattigan, but had not seen her for a couple of years. “I used to hang around with her little brother,” he told gardaí.

He told gardaí he had no involvement in the shooting of Mr O’Byrne and said he did not know the assassin.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White.