A Dublin man who was shot dead in 2001 informed gardaí his life was in danger but his concerns were ignored by the Garda Complaints Board, it has been claimed at an inquest.
Gerald "Concrete" Fitzgerald (48), a father of 10, Rathvilly Park, Finglas, Dublin, was shot dead in Santry, Dublin, in November 2001. There have been no criminal prosecutions in relation to his death.
A jury at Dublin City Coroner's Court yes terday returned a verdict of death by unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.
The jury raised concerns at the time a complaint takes to be processed when made to the Garda Complaints Board, and recommended the Dublin city coroner convey their concerns to the relevant authorities.
The inquest heard that Mr Fitzgerald had informed the Garda Complaints Board over three months before his death that his life was in danger. Coroner Dr Brian Farrell yesterday called on "anyone with any information to come forward and assist the Garda with their inquiries . . . This was a violent and cruel killing."
Mr Fitzgerald was known to gardaí and was involved in a feud with his extended family. A year before he was murdered, he was shot outside his home but survived.
A week after that shooting, his nephew Francis Fitzgerald (27) was shot dead at his flat at Annamoe Terrace, Cabra, Dublin, on November 14th, 2000.
David Fitzgerald told the inquest his father had been involved in altercations with his extended family in the year before his death.
He said that gardaí believed "Francis had shot my father and he had Francis shot for revenge." He said he didn't believe this was the case.
After the death of Francis Fitzgerald, the family made numerous complaints to gardaí when the windows in their home were repeatedly smashed and they were receiving threatening phone calls.
"There were a lot of complaints. I lost count . . . Nothing ever came of it. I felt the police had a dislike for my father," said David Fitzgerald.
He said "a lot more could have been done" by gardaí to protect his father.