JOHN Kelly was the 10th person to die in the past year in a "gang land" assassination in Dublin.
Many of the killings have been characterised by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, as "thieves falling out among thieves".
Such killings present difficulties for the Garda, which goes some way towards explaining why "gangland" murders are harder to solve than other types.
In the majority of homicides the attackers and their victims know each other. In more than 30 per cent of cases they are close relatives or spouses. In such cases the attacker will normally head the list of suspects, a motive may be established relatively quickly and witnesses to such murders may have recognised the killer.
However, the "gangland" killings usually involve a hired gunman who has no connection with the victims. Witnesses may be able to supply a description but they will not recognise the killer.
In the last year 10 people have been shot dead in Dublin in a spate of killings for which no one has yet been charged.
On April 1st John Reddan was shot dead in a Dublin pub, the Blue Lion. Reddan, who was in his 40s, was a prime suspect in a 1981 murder. But his death was believed to be a revenge attack for another killing the stabbing to death of Sean McNeill (23) outside a disco in north Dublin in February 1995. Gardai were waiting for a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to charge Reddan when he was killed.
Reddan was described by gardai as a persistent band violent criminal who was involved in many robberies and other crime but who managed to avoid conviction for any serious offences.
Gerry Lee (31), a Dublin drug dealer and robber was shot at a house in Coolock last month at the end of a night's partying to celebrate his birthday. A close associate of the notorious Dublin criminal known as "The Monk", he had been included in a list of criminals threatened by a vigilante group with republican links.
It is also possible that Lee had crossed some of his own criminal associates. He was a dangerous criminal, an armed robber by trade who who had graduated to medium scale drug dealer.
Eric Shorthall (22), a petty criminal, was shot dead in Ballyfermot last November. He was approached by a gunman who shot him in the leg and head before escaping on a motorcycle. This is believed to have been a contract killing on behalf of a criminal family in Ballyfermot.
Mr Christy Delaney (46) was shot dead in Finglas in the same month. It is believed he was killed at the instigation of a north Dublin drug dealer who suspected him of passing information to the Garda.
Edward McCabe (30), a petty criminal and drug dealer, and Catherine Brennan (29), were shot dead in Tallaght in November 1995. They are thought to have been murdered by a man from Crumlin with whom McCabe had earlier had an argument. Ms Brennan is believed to have been shot because she witnessed the killing of McCabe.
Gerry Connolly (29), a drug courier, was shot dead at his home in Ballyfermot in August 1995. A lone gunman fired shots into his chest at close range, after he answered a knock at his front door. He may have been suspected of passing information to the Garda.
Francis Preston (30), who was implicated in drugs offences but never charged, was shot dead at his home in Baldoyle in June 1995. He was killed by a "professional" assassin who approached him as he was preparing to drive to work. Preston was known to have a violent temper, but the reasons for his death are unclear.
David Weafer (31) described as a vicious criminal with many enemies, was shot dead at his home in Finglas on June 23rd, 1995. He was killed by a man with a shotgun who called to the house.