A doorman guarding a republican social function at the Widow Scallan's pub in Dublin was shot dead while trying to fend off a loyalist bomb attack, an inquest heard today.
Martin Doherty (35), from Ballymun, Dublin, died on Pearse Street after he was shot several times in the chest by gunmen on May 21st, 1994. The court heard that a Northern Ireland-registered car pulled up outside the pub and two men alighted to try to plant a "substantial" bomb in the public house.
Supt John Fitzpatrick told the Dublin City Coroner's Court: "They were challenged by the deceased as a result of which he was shot outside the premises. He managed to close the door of the premises." The inquest heard there were more than 150 people on the premises for the function, and if the bomb had exploded, it would have had devastating consequences.
The coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, said Mr Doherty had lost his life challenging the gunmen, who were forced to abandon the bomb outside.
One witness, Mr David Coakley, who was 14 at the time, told how they heard shots as they stood outside a chip shop near the pub. He told the court that a right-handed gunman shot a man lying on the ground several times with a handgun before he jumped into a gold-coloured car parked outside the pub.
Three witnesses said the gunman stared at them as the three men drove off and described him as in his 20s or early 30s, about six-foot tall, of light build with short black hair.
Supt John Fitzpatrick, who was at the scene, said the army bomb disposal unit was called in to deal with the partially-exploded bomb, which was primed to go off. "There was a partial detonation, but the main bomb did not go off."
The jury passed a verdict of unlawful killing by person or persons unknown.