A Dublin man whose life was threatened by a gang was later murdered by the man who claimed he would protect him, a murder trial jury heard in the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
Mr Shay Wildes (35), from Corbally Park, Tallaght, denies murdering Mr Declan Griffin (32), from Coolock, at the Horse and Jockey pub in Inchicore on April 5th, 2003.
In his opening speech, Mr Tom O'Connell SC, prosecuting, said: "Declan Griffin found that his life was threatened by a gang . . . Shay Wildes offered Declan Griffin security and protection in exchange for money."
The court heard that on April 5th Mr Wildes arranged a meeting with Mr Griffin to claim part payment for his security, claiming the person threatening Mr Griffin's safety had been kidnapped. Mr Griffin called at his brother's house and asked to borrow €2,000. He left for a meeting at the Horse and Jockey at 6 p.m. with €5,000 in total.
A whispered conversation allegedly took place between Mr Wildes and Mr Griffin in the pub. After that, Mr O'Connell said, it was the State's case that Mr Wildes shot Declan Griffin in the head.
Mr Griffin died from laceration to the brain and inter-cranial haemorrhaging caused by a .38 calibre bullet entering around his right ear.
Mr O'Connell told the jury the case was to some extent "shrouded in obscurity". A central witness who was with Mr Griffin and Mr Wildes at the time has yet to give evidence.