Gardaí investigating the murder of a man in the Cabra area of Dublin on Sunday evening are following a number of leads and have appealed for more people to come forward with information.
The call was made by Supt David Taylor at Cabra Garda station yesterday where an incident room has been set up and a case conference was held.
Paul Cullen (27), a father of one, was shot a number of times at about 7pm in the Cabra House, known locally as the Oasis. The killing was callous and brutal, the Garda said, and was traumatic for 25 others in the pub including members of the victim’s family who were with him when he was shot. His relatives threw chairs at the attacker in an attempt to thwart him.
The dead man had an address on Fassaugh Avenue near the murder scene and had recently been freed from prison after serving a sentence for a drugs-related offence.
Drugs debt
Investigating gardaí believe the killing was linked to a drugs debt, although this has not been confirmed.
“It’s still early, we have just finished a murder case conference. A number of lines of inquiry are being conducted but at the moment we are in a trawling process,” Supt Taylor said.
“Our first appeal is for patrons who were in the premises at the time during the incident or may have visited the premises in the hours preceding it,” he added.
He commended the large number who had already come forward with information but added specific appeals for more information, particularly in relation to the two gunmen and their getaway motorcycle.
“We would also like to talk to anybody who might have seen a black, medium-sized motorcycle that pulled up outside the licensed premises prior to the incident. Did you see this motorcycle? Did you see the men on this motorcycle? They are best described as in dark clothing with a dark helmet. Did you see this motorcycle leaving and driving in an erratic manner after the incident?”
Officers are appealing to any people outside the Cabra House at the time of the murder. The area, known locally as The Strip, has a number of fast-food outlets and shops and is normally busy with pedestrians in the early evening.
“We’re asking did you see any suspicious activity concerning this bike at the scene, leaving the scene or in the hours prior to the [incident]? We would urge you to come forward at Cabra Garda station where an incident room has been set up, or we can be contacted on 01-666 7432 or on the Garda confidential line 1-800 666111.”
The Garda has appointed a liaison officer to liaise with the victim’s relatives and friends.