Gardaí were yesterday seeking witnesses to the murder of a champion kickboxer in a Francis Street pub in Dublin on Sunday night.
Jimmy Curran (42) was shot in the head as he drank in the Green Lizard pub opposite the Tivoli Theatre in the south inner city.
He was originally from the area but was living in Santry with his partner and two children at the time of his death. Mr Curran trained young martial arts enthusiasts in a room over a local take-away in the Liberties.
While gardaí said all lines of inquiry were open, early indications were that the killing may have been a revenge attack following Mr Curran's involvement in a recent altercation.
There were up to 30 people at a karaoke session in the Green Lizard when the victim was shot at around 10pm.
Gardaí believe the killer may have been in the pub for some time before he fired at least two shots with a handgun.
He was described as being 6ft, grey-haired, middle-aged and well dressed.
Supt Eddie Quirke, who is heading the investigation, said gardaí arrived at the scene to find the dead man slumped near a table. "He had obviously been shot in the head."
He was taken to St James's Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10.40pm.
Supt Quirke appealed to everyone in the pub to come forward to help gardaí with their inquiries. Some people had left before the emergency services arrived, and they could be valuable eyewitnesses. "Certain people have not come forward."
He said it was understood that the killer left the scene on foot, and headed in the direction of Thomas Street or the Coombe.
Gardaí said CCTV equipment, both in and outside the pub, may help identify the killer.
Supt Quirke also appealed to witnesses who may have been in the Francis St, Thomas St or Coombe area between 9pm and 10.30pm and who may have seen something to contact the investigation team.
An incident room has now been set up at Kevin Street Garda station, and it can be contacted at 01 6669432. About 50 gardaí have been assigned to the case.
Trisha Davis was having a cigarette outside the Liquid pub across the street when she saw Mr Curran's body being carried out on a stretcher.
"There were police everywhere, and the area was cordoned off very fast." All patrons of Liquid were asked to remain on the premises, and gardaí took their names, addresses, dates of birth and telephone numbers.
Ms Davis said they were not able to leave the pub until about 11. 45pm. "It was very frightening. I'd have died if I had been in the pub and seen it happen."
Pat McCormack normally drank in the Green Lizard but was not there on Sunday night.
"Thanks be to God I wasn't there. It would have been nerve-racking. They would have had to give us a drink afterwards just to settle our nerves."
