Appeal over Finglas man's murder

Gardaí and the Crimestoppers organisation have launched a public appeal for information that might help solve the murder of a…

Gardaí and the Crimestoppers organisation have launched a public appeal for information that might help solve the murder of a criminal shot dead in a Dublin pub last month.

Alan McNally, a 36-year-old from Finglas, north Dublin, was shot in the head in the Cappagh Nua pub, Barry Road, Finglas, in the early hours of February 2nd.

He had been released late last year from a prison sentence of seven years for heroin dealing.

His brother Graham McNally, also a well-known gangland criminal and heroin dealer, was shot dead in Finglas three years ago.

READ MORE

Gardaí believe Alan McNally started drinking on the morning of Wednesday, February 1st and remained in the Cappagh Nua throughout the day until 1am.

He was sitting with a Finglas criminal when a man wearing a hooded top and scarf over his face walked into the pub carrying what gardaí believe was a semi-automatic 9mm handgun.

The gunman walked up to McNally, a father-of-two from Cappagh Avenue, and singled him out, firing a large number of shots. The victim put his hands up to defend himself and sustained gunshot wounds to his hands and head. It is understood he was shot at least five times.

As the gunman carried out the attack, an accomplice wearing a “Scream” mask acted as a look-out at the pub door. As their victim lay dying on the floor, the attackers ran from the area towards nearby Casement Park.

At a joint Garda and Crimestoppers press conference at Finglas Garda station this morning, Det Insp Kieran McEneaney appealed for information from the public that might solve the case. He said up to four people were involved in planning the attack, the murder itself and securing the killer in safe lodgings.

"We know the gang members that were involved in this particular murder," he said. "We believe that they are all living within our community in Finglas. "They still haven't fled the country. They are still here in the local community."

He said anybody with information should contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 1800 25 00 25. Callers did not need to leave a name or address and a reward was on offer from Crimestoppers for information leading to a conviction.

Crimestoppers is a joint Garda-Dublin Chamber of Commerce initiative that offers rewards for information that can solve serious crime. Rewards are often in the region of between €10,000 and €15,000.

Conor Lally

Conor Lally

Conor Lally is Security and Crime Editor of The Irish Times