One dead in gangland shooting at Dublin hotel

One man was shot dead and two others were injured when a gang of armed men opened fire at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel on the Swords Road in north Dublin yesterday.

The dead man was named as David Byrne from Crumlin.

Witnesses said three gunmen, at least one of whom was armed with what gardaí believe was an AK47 assault rifle, entered the Regency Hotel at about 2.30pm. They were wearing what witnesses described as partial mock-up Garda uniforms.

It is understood there were uniformed gardaí and armed detectives not far from the scene of the weigh-in, which was regarded as a security risk because gangland criminals were expected to attend.

The gunmen started shooting at a group of people attending the weigh-in ahead of a planned boxing event in Dublin today.

Number of shots

One of the three men wounded at the scene later died from his injuries. The two others were taken to the Mater and Beaumont hospitals.

Witnesses said a large number of shots were fired by the gunmen.

Once the gunmen opened fire, attendees at the weigh-in and guests at the hotel sought cover or tried to flee the hotel.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the shooting “as an extreme case” of criminal activity.

“This is a very serious matter. There is a full-scale murder hunt going on here, a full-scale murder investigation and we hope that the gardaí, with the evidence from those who were in the weigh-in section, will be able to bring those [involved] to justice.”

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald described the shooting as a horrific event and an extreme crime.

“I have spoken to the Garda Commissioner and An Garda Síochána are investigating this horrific event. Obviously it is extremely traumatic for everyone present, including children.”

Tánaiste Joan Burton said she had spoken to Ms Fitzgerald about the events .

“My first thoughts are with the family of the victim, and with those injured and caught up in the attack, including hotel staff.

“This was a barbaric act, and the fact that children were also put in harm’s way shows what callous disregard the perpetrators have for human life.

“While the full details are still emerging, I know the Garda Síochána will do everything in their power to bring the perpetrators to justice.”