JOHN REDDAN, the man shot dead in a Dublin pub on Monday night, was a prime suspect in the murder of a publican's son during an armed robbery 14 years ago.
Gardai arrested Reddan and questioned him about the murder of Lorcan O'Byrne (25) at his father's pub, The Angler's Rest, in Chapelizod, in October 1981. Mr O'Byrne jnr was holding a birthday party in his father's pub when a gang of armed robbers broke in and shot him dead. Reddan was arrested a short time later by gardai. There was not sufficient evidence to bring charges, however, and Reddan remained free.
Reddan is believed to have been shot dead in revenge ford another killing the stabbing to death of Sean McNeill (23) outside a disco in north Dublin on St Valentine's Day last year. Gardai were awaiting a decision from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether to charge Reddan when he was killed.
Reddan has been described by gardai as a persistent and violent criminal who was involved in many robberies and other crimes, but who managed to avoid conviction for any serious offences.
He was shot dead by a lone gunman who walked into the Blue Lion pub just off O'Connell Street on Monday evening.