The family of an alleged drug dealer gunned down in broad daylight today broke their silence on the attack.
Father-of-three Paul Reay was killed and his sister Emmajean was injured when a gunman opened fire on their car in Drogheda on Thursday morning. In a statement issued today, relatives of the 26-year-old appealed for privacy to grieve and for public help with the Garda investigation into the crime.
"We are understandably inconsolable at this time. Our primary concern is the welfare of Paul's sister Emmajean, who is currently still undergoing treatment for the wounds she received during this callous and cowardly attack. "We would appeal to any one who may have information regarding the identity or whereabouts of Paul's murderers to contact Drogheda Gardai."
Gardai have linked the shooting — the third fatal gun attack in the Republic in just over a week — to the illegal drugs trade. "This heinous crime took place while Emmajean was bringing her brother Paul to Kells District Court to face drugs related charges," the statement added.
But the family said: "Irrespective of the crimes to which Paul had been charged, no one deserves to die in the way Paul did. "We now ask the media to respect our privacy and leave us to grieve our loss and concentrate on aiding Emmajean with her recovery."
The dead man's father, Ned, an office worker, was beaten to death by drunken youths in a late-night attack six years ago. "His death was in no way related to any drug incident or argument," the family said today. end