MR JOSIE DWYER, a heroin addict and former dealer who was murdered in a vigilante attack in Dublin last Tuesday, died from loss of blood due to a ruptured spleen, according to Garda sources.
MrDwyer (41), also suffered a bruising to his right temple, a graze on his cheek and a wound to the right forearm. Gardai are still investigating the vigilante murder, the first of its kind in Dublin. One man was arrested in connection with the attack and later released. A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Mr Dwyer, who weighed just six stone and who had AIDS, was attacked by a gang of up to 20 men. He had been one of the first heroin dealers in Dublin, according to Garda sources. He was an acquaintance of some members of the Dunne family who were involved in the drugs trade.
He was sentenced to four years in jail for drug dealing in 1987. Following his release, he became addicted to heroin and contracted AIDS.