GARDAÍ INVESTIGATING the murder of a man in an apparent gangland shooting are studying possible links to the drugs trade.
The man was shot in the neck and body in the living room of the family's rented house in Ashcroft Grove, Blakestown, northwest Dublin. The victim's baby was in bed in an upstairs room when the attack took place.
The dead man, Seán Cloherty (27), was originally from Glasnevin, Dublin, and had moved into the Blakestown house earlier this year. His was the 19th gun murder of the year. His father was a Garda sergeant who died earlier this year.
Mr Cloherty was one of three people arrested in August when gardaí found heroin, valium and cash with a combined value of just over €500,000 at two locations, in Dublin's north inner city and in Balbriggan, north Co Dublin. Garda sources said while the investigation into Mr Cloherty's murder is at an early stage, they are examining possible links between the drug seizure and the killing.
In the past, criminals caught with drugs have been murdered by the gang who supplied them because those caught cannot pay for the seized drugs, or because the suppliers believe they are about to turn Garda informer.
Mr Cloherty, a father of one, was at home with his child early on Tuesday evening when gardaí believe the killer called to the house and carried out the fatal attack. The alarm was not raised for a number of hours.
A friend of the dead man called to the house at about 8pm and saw his body through the front window. Gardaí were called immediately and sealed off the scene. The house underwent a full examination yesterday by members of the Garda Technical Bureau.
Mr Cloherty's body remained at the scene overnight. His remains were examined there yesterday morning before being removed for a full postmortem.
Supt John Harnett has appealed for anybody with information on the killing to contact gardaí in Blanchardstown. He said gardaí wanted to speak to anybody who may have seen anything unusual in the vicinity of the murder scene and Blakestown Road between 4pm and 8pm on Tuesday. Any information would be treated in confidence, he said.
The dead man was facing a drugs charge relating to the supply of tranquilliser tablets and was due to appear before the courts next year. However, he had not been charged in relation to his arrest in August.
On that occasion he was arrested outside a house in Balbriggan when gardaí found heroin valued at €300,000, valium tablets worth an estimated €20,000 and €3,000 in cash in a car close by. Cloherty was arrested and questioned. A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions and gardaí were awaiting direction on charges against Cloherty over the drugs find.
As part of the same operation two people were arrested in a house on Seán McDermott Street, Dublin 1, after gardaí found heroin worth €100,000, valium worth €40,000 and about €45,000 in cash. A loaded handgun and some ammunition were also found.
Anybody with information on the killing is asked to contact Blanchardstown gardaí on (01) 6667000.
Gun murders: 19 victims to date this year
January 5th:David Lynch (39) is shot dead at Collery Drive, Cranmore, in Sligo town - a convicted armed robber. Local criminal feud suspected.
February 10th:Andrew Burns (27), Strabane, Co Tyrone, is taken across the Border into Donegal in a car and shot in the village of Castlefin. Dissident republicans suspected.
February 18th:Darren Guerrine (21), La Touche Road, Bluebell, Dublin 12, is shot in the head on the banks of the Grand Canal. A minor criminal - drug links suspected.
March 6th:John Berney (29), originally from Ballyfermot, Dublin, is shot dead in Newcastle, Co Dublin. A career criminal, with a drug dispute being the likely motive for the shooting.
March 8th:Richard McCormack (29), St Ronan's Close, Ronanstown, is shot dead outside his brother's house on St Ronan's Drive. A suspected drug dealer - killing linked to a gangland murder last year.
March 26th:Michael Hanrahan (60) and his son Denis (27), are shot in Moyvane, north Kerry. A man known to them has been charged with the double murder.
April 5th:Mark Moloney (40) is shot in Limerick's Garryowen area. Believed to be feud-related. A man has been charged with the murder.
April 7th:The remains of James Cronin (20), Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick are found in a shallow grave in Limerick. Shot in the head. Feud-related.
April 18th:Anthony Russell (30), Cromcastle Drive, Kilmore, Dublin, shot while drinking in the Ardlea Inn, Artane. Inner city criminal feud suspected.
May 20th:Darren McGrath (31) shot in bed at his home on the Kilconny Estate, Belturbet, Co Cavan. A convicted drug dealer - killing believed to be drug-related.
July 18th:Anthony Foster (34) is shot dead as he leaves his flat in Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, Dublin. A former drug dealer, he had been working with drug users at the time of his murder.
July 19th:Trevor Walsh (33) shot in Kippure Avenue, Finglas. He was on temporary release from prison and had convictions for drugs and firearms offences.
August 23rd:Armed robber Paul Martin (39) shot as he sat drinking in the Jolly Toper pub, Finglas, Dublin. He knew his life was in danger from criminal associates.
September 9th:Christopher McDonagh (27) shot dead at his home in Ronanstown, west Dublin. Believed killed by former drug dealing associates.
September 13th:Christopher Barry (24), Middle Third, Killester, Dublin 5, shot at a bookies. A man is charged with the murder.
October 19th:Gavin McCarthy (21), Oriel Street, Dublin 1, shot close to his home. Dispute between drug dealers suspected.
November 9th:Shane Geoghegan (28) shot in Dooradoyle, Limerick as he walked to his home nearby. Mistaken identity for drug dealer suspected.