Investigation begins as drug dealer shot dead near Dublin pub

A convicted drug dealer was shot dead in the car park of a Dublin pub on Wednesday night in what detectives believe was a gangland-related killing.

The man, named locally as Darren Kearns, had been eating at a Chinese restaurant above Cumiskey’s Bar and Restaurant on Blackhorse Avenue, just off the Navan Road and adjacent to the Phoenix Park, before he was shot dead in the car park outside at about 5.45pm.

It is understood he was on foot when he was approached by a car.

A number of shots were discharged at close range, and at least one struck him in the head.

A postmortem will be carried out on Thursday.

Members of the Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance service responded to the incident, but he was declared dead at the scene.

The car, a BMW five series, sped away and was found burnt out a short time later in a laneway off Regal Park on Blackhorse Avenue.

‘Completely burned out’

Garda forensic teams carried out a preliminary examination of the vehicle but a Garda source said it was “completely burned out”.

Kearns had recently been released from prison after he was sentenced to six years for the sale or supply of €1.8 million worth of cannabis in February 2012.

He was jailed after gardaí stopped him and his brother in a van at Ballyboughal in Dublin and seized 145kg of cannabis.

He was convicted of a separate charge in relation to the sale or supply of drugs in 2011 but did not serve jail time.

Road traffic offences

Apart from some road traffic offences, he had not otherwise come to the attention of gardaí.

A Garda source said the investigation was in early stages but that the shooting had “all the hallmarks” of a gangland killing.

Gardaí in Cabra are appealing for any witnesses who may have been in the vicinity of the pub from 5.30pm-6 pm, or anyone who can assist them in relation to the burnt-out car on Blackhorse Avenue, to contact them on 01 6667400, the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.