A number of photographs of members of the six-man gang behind the murder of David Byrne at a Dublin hotel on Friday have emerged that show some of the gunmen without masks.
A least one newspaper had assigned reporters to the Regency Hotel, in Drumcondra, north Dublin, where a weigh-in for a boxing event was taking place.
Photographs showing two of the gunmen, unmasked, emerging from the hotel after one man had been shot dead and two others injured have been printed in a Sunday newspaper.
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Based on these images and eyewitness accounts gardaí believe they know the identities of at least three of the six attackers.
Two other men remain in hospital on Sunday being treated for gunshot wounds sustained in the attack.
While detectives believe the murder had been planned for several months, it appears the gang underestimated the number of people who would be in the hotel and the fact that the event was being recorded.
Some eyewitness testimony has already advanced the investigation to the point where gardaí believe they know some of those involved.
It is believe one gang member was dressed as a woman and wore a wig in an effort to disguise their identity.
However, this man and one accomplice were photographed without masks. It is understood gardaí have requested access to these images under warrant.
At a press conference on Saturday gardaí said a gang of at least six men was behind the attack at the boxing weigh-in at thw Regency Hotel on Friday.
Gardaí have responded to the attack by ramping up armed patrols across the city amid fears of reprisals.
Three gunmen wearing imitation Garda riot gear and carrying semi-automatic rifles burst through the front door of the Regency and opened fire on a large group of people, including children, who were attending the boxing weigh-in. About 300 people were in the hotel at the time.
A large number of shots were fired and David Byrne (32) from Crumlin was killed. It is believed he had links to an Irish-led crime cartel based in southern Spain.
Two other men were injured and they are being treated for gunshot wounds at the Mater and Beaumont hospitals.
Speaking at a press conference in Ballymun Garda station on Saturday, where an incident room with 60 personnel has been set up, Garda Assistant Commissioner Jack Nolan said aside from the three gunmen, three other suspects, included a “male dressed as a female” and a man described as “stocky” and wearing a beige peaked cap who were both at the scene were being sought.
The sixth man is understood to have been driving a silver Ford Transit van, which was used as a getaway vehicle.
The van was found burned out in the Charlemont estate, off Griffith Avenue, shortly after the shooting on Friday, and gardaí are appealing for information from members of the public who may have seen the silver van or seen anyone acting suspiciously in relation to a van of that description in Dublin or elsewhere.
The attack is believed to be linked to the murder of Dublin criminal Gary Hutch in southern Spain last September.
Hutch was once involved with the Irish-led crime cartel in Spain. Investigating officers admit it is possible members of the gang involved in Friday’s shooting have already fled the country and say they are following up a number of leads to that effect.
Gardaí are continuing to work with police forces in other jurisdictions, Interpol, Europol and Garda liaison officers in London and Madrid as part of their enquiries.
Senior gardaí said the attack was intended to target a group of people who may have links to organised crime. They made a distinction between the Regency Hotel shooting and recent terror attacks in Paris and elsewhere.
“It was a very focused event. There were people present who were obviously targeted, it wasn’t something that we’ve seen in Paris or elsewhere in Europe where the shooting was indiscriminate. This was very focused and very targeted,” said Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahony.
Gardaí said they had “no specific intelligence” an attack had been planned for the weigh-in ahead of the WBO European Lightweight title fight between Jamie Kavanagh and Antonio Jao Bento, but said they had planned to implement an operation at the “Clash of the Clans” boxing event due to take place in the National Stadium on Saturday. This even was subsequently cancelled.
On Saturday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny insisted every resource would be provided to the force to ensure the criminals who murdered Mr Byrne were brought to justice.
Speaking on the campaign trail in Dublin, Mr Kenny said it was an appalling crime that had caused deep trauma for all involved.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has assured Garda Commissioner Noirín O’Sullivan every assistance will be made available, Mr Kenny said.
The Taoiseach said many ordinary, innocent people including, young people, had been caught up in the incident.
He said Fine Gael would establish a second Special Criminal Court (SCC) if re-elected to government.
“It is an appalling incident that happened in broad daylight in a family-run hotel. I have spoken to the Minister for Justice this morning and she has assured the Garda Commissioner that whatever resources needed will be provided.”
Mr Kenny said the abolition of the SCC, as proposed by Sinn Féin, was wrong because there was “ample evidence of jury intimidation”.
Ms Fitzgerald echoed the Taoiseach’s assurances that no resource would be spared in tracking down the killers, and called the attack deeply sinister and “an affront to society”.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said the murder was brutal and barbaric, and had shocked people across the country.
One video clip of the event shows the last boxer weighing in at about 2.20pm when armed men appeared in the room. There is panic as people flee to safety.
A child who runs to safety through an emergency exit can be heard on the video crying out “Daddy, daddy, help me. What happen?”
Gardaí believe the killers ran from the hotel after the attack before being driven away in a waiting van by another man.
A van was later found burned out at the back of the Charlemont housing estate, off nearby Griffith Avenue. The killers are believed to have fled through a laneway into St Vincent’s GAA club where gardaí believe another vehicle was waiting to take them away.
Members of the media present at the hotel were threatened by the gunmen as they fled. One reporter was warned to stay back by a gunman who pointed his firearm at him at close range.
