Clondalkin death not linked to city centre feud, gardaí believe

Gardaí believe the man shot dead in west Dublin on Monday night was killed as part of a local criminal dispute. His murder was not linked to the feud that took another life in Dublin city centre earlier in the evening.

Just before midnight, and only three hours after Michael Barr (35) was shot dead in the Sunset House, Summerhill, the second victim Thomas Farnan (37) was murdered in his home in Clondalkin.

Garda sources said they saw “no connection at this stage” between both killings, adding while the north inner city attack appeared to be linked to the worsening Kinahan-Hutch feud, the Clondalkin murder was “a more isolated incident”.

In that second attack, Mr Farnan was gunned down at his home on Kilcronan Close, Clondalkin, at about 11.50pm.

It is understood the gunman was seen running from the area after shooting the victim and a large scene around the house where the murder took place has been sealed off. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

It will undergo a finger tip search by members of a Garda search team later today and the Garda Technical Bureau was set to examine the immediate murder scene.

Previous

Mr Farnan had a history of chaotic offending which began in his teenage years. However, he had only served two short prison sentences for theft offences and had not been charged with any crimes for more than a decade.

The victim’s remains were left in situ pending the arrival early this morning of a pathologist to carry out a preliminary examination at the murder spot.

Gardaí have spoken to those close to Mr Farnan in a bid to establish if they knew of any reason why somebody might want him dead.

His criminal activities were also being probed in the search for a possible motive for his murder and to help identify suspects.

Mr Farnan had previous addresses in Tallaght and Clondalkin and had come to the attention of the Garda from an early age.

In April 2000 gardaí saw him acting suspiciously on the street in Clondalkin but when they approached to question him he fled.

Back-up was called and the man was chased through back gardens of houses in the area.

As gardaí closed in on him, he charged a sergeant head down and broke the officer’s leg.

Suspended

He eventually pleaded guilty to that attack and was given a suspended sentence, though related charges of stealing property from cars he broke into were dropped for lack of evidence.

In January 2002 he was involved in a high profile incident when he escaped from prison custody while being escorted to hospital by prison officers after claiming he felt unwell.

He was in jail at the time on remand in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, awaiting trial for criminal damage.

However, the day before he was due to appear in court on the charges he complained of feeling unwell and was taken to Tallaght Hospital for an examination.

He was permitted to use the toilet in the hospital but climbed out the window and made his escape. He was at large for a lengthy period.