Gardai fear shooting is linked to feuding Dublin gang

Gardaí in Dublin fear a seemingly accidental shooting which claimed the life of a 30 year old Finglas man earlier this week may be the latest twist in a gang feud in the capital

The body of the man, who was named yesterday as Victor Murphy of Deanstown Green, Finglas, was found at Dunsink Lane on Wednesday morning. Mr Murphy was known to gardaí but was not a major criminal.

Gardaí believe he was shot accidentally while travelling in a car in the Finglas area late on Tuesday or early on Wednesday with at least one accomplice.

Detectives are satisfied they know the identity of one accomplice. He forms part of the Garda inquiry into the linked murders of Michael Scott and Willie O'Regan in earlier this year and was part of a group that was known to be at loggerheads with O'Regan. He is also known to have had access to firearms in the past and is described as highly dangerous and volatile.

Scott (25) died after two men, one armed with a gun and another with a sword, burst into his Sillogue Road flat in Ballymun while he slept on April 19th.

He was shot in the attack and died from his injuries. At the time his death was linked to an altercation at a cider party in Finglas just hours before he was killed.

O'Regan was killed on June 10th in what officers believe was a revenge attack. He was shot three times at his home on the Old Cabra Road, Finglas, by two gunmen.

Gardai do not know why Murphy and his accomplice were travelling in a stolen vehicle with a gun on Tuesday night.

Detectives believe that after Murphy sustained the gunshot wound to the head, his accomplice panicked and drove to Dunsink Lane, where the body was dumped.

The car was abandoned less than a mile away at the Berryfield Estate. It was discovered on a grass verge at around 1 a.m., more than four hours before Murphy's body was found.Murphy's accomplice was seen running from the vehicle earlier.

Detectives say it is too early to be sure about the circumstances of Murphy's death. It was being treated as suspicious, rather than murder. They are hopeful forensic clues yielded from a technical examination of the car might provide them with vital information.

Gardai began another investigation last night after the discovery of the body of a man at Coke Lane in Dublin's north inner city. The body, which had head injuries, was found in a disused store at around 4 p.m. However, there is no suggestion this death was connected to the feud.