A TEENAGE gunman who shot a man dead in Dublin on Sunday night was caught at the scene by the victim’s brother but managed to get away from him, it has emerged.
The gunman, who gardaí believe was as young as 17, cycled up to Gavin McCarthy (21), of Oriel Street, Dublin 1, outside a fast food outlet on Sheriff Street and fired a number of shots at him with a handgun.
Mr McCarthy was hit twice, in the face and leg. The killer fled on a bicycle but was chased by Mr McCarthy’s brother. After the victim’s brother caught up, the killer abandoned the bike and ran.
The bike and gun were left on nearby Commons Road, but gardaí believe both were taken away a short time later. Gardaí yesterday found a bicycle in the area, but while it is being technically examined it is not clear whether it is the one used by the gunman.
The gun has not yet been found, despite a major search of the area by gardaí yesterday.
The gunman pulled a scarf over his face to hide his identity. However, eyewitnesses believe the killer was 17 to 19 years of age.
Mr McCarthy’s brother and a number of other people took him by car to the Mater Hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time after the 9pm attack.
Gavin McCarthy was a known criminal. He was aligned to one of two gangland factions in the Sheriff Street area who have been feuding for a number of years. Before Sunday’s murder, three men had been shot dead as part of the feud. Gavin McCarthy had recently become embroiled in an on-street verbal altercation with members of the faction he and his associates were in opposition to.
Gardaí investigating Mr McCarthy’s killing believe it is most likely feud-related. However, given the age of the killer and the manner in which the murder was carried out – involving a bicycle – detectives have not ruled out the possibility that Mr McCarthy was killed over a personal matter.
Gavin McCarthy had been rumoured locally to have been involved in a feud-related shooting this year. He was involved in the drug trade and had been facing charges relating to possession for supply of cannabis. He was arrested after a quantity of the drug was seized in Co Meath.
He had a number of convictions for public order matters.
Supt Ray Barry of Store Street gardaí appealed for anybody in the area at the time or who may have seen the bicycle or gun being taken away to contact gardaí. He said the gunman was in his late teens, of slim build, around 5ft 8in, wearing trainers. He wore dark clothing and a scarf over his face.
Joe Costello TD (Lab), in whose constituency the attack took place, said the murder was proof the Government had “failed to get to grips with gangland crime”.
Anyone with information on the murder or who was in the vicinity of the crime scene between 8.30pm and 9.30pm on Sunday is asked to contact Store Street Garda station on (01) 6668000.