Family saw Dublin man's killing

Gardaí have issued an appeal for witnesses to yesterday's fatal shooting of a man in a pub in Cabra, north Dublin.

The shooting happened in the Cabra House on Fassaugh Avenue, known locally as the Oasis at about 7.15pm.

The victim, Paul Cullen, was drinking in the pub when it is understood a man entered the premises, walked up to him and fired a number of shots. A man on a motorcycle is believed to have waited outside the Cabra House while the gunman entered.

“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 the incident,” Supt David Taylor told a briefing today at Cabra Garda station, where an incident room has been set up and a case conference was held.

He described the “callous and brutal” killing as traumatic for others in the pub, including members of the victim’s family who were with him when he was shot.

He commended the large number who had already come forward with information but added specific appeals for more information.

“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 also appealing to any people outside the pub 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 anybody did you see any suspicious activity concerning this bike at the scene, leaving the scene or in the hours prior to the scene? We would urge you to come forward at Cabra Garda station where an incident room has been set up and can be contacted on 01-666 7432 or the Garda confidential line 1 800 666111.”

A Garda family liaison officer has been appointed to deal with the relatives and friends of the victim and to keep them fully briefed on the development of the investigation.

Supt Taylor declined to release any information about the victim as the postmortem had yet to be concluded and he stressed the need for the family of the dead man to be informed first. “Members of the family were there,” Supt Taylor added. “You can imagine it must have been traumatic for them to witness such a callous and brutal murder.”

The Garda could not give any additional information about the motorcycle, saying the investigation was at a very early stage.

Mr Cullen, who was in his 20s, was known to gardaí and had a number of previous convictions, including for violent assault and drug offences. He is understood to have been released recently from prison. The victim lived in a house almost directly opposite the pub on Fassaugh Avenue.