Father-of-two shot dead in his bed

Father-of-two shot dead in his bed

By Tom Brady Security Editor

Thursday November 15 2007

The cold-blooded shooting of a career criminal in south Dublin yesterday may have been linked to a double murder in the capital last month.

The latest gangland victim was named as father-of-two Seanie McMahon (35), who was shot in the head as he lay in his bed.

McMahon was associated with major crime figures and senior garda officers confirmed that several avenues of investigation were being explored.

But top of the list for the garda team is McMahon's close relationship with gangland wheeler-dealer Brian Downes, who was shot at his garage in Walkinstown less than six weeks ago.

Inquiries

Downes and an innocent car dealer, Eddie Ward, were gunned down inside a yard and sparked off inquiries into Downes' activities as a money launderer and vehicle supplier for the big crime gangs.

McMahon was known to work closely with Downes, although gardai were checking out reports last night that the two had fallen out some time before the shooting.

Last night gardai were trying to track down two men who had been seen acting suspiciously near McMahon's home at Donomore Avenue, in Tallaght, yesterday morning. McMahon's partner, Sinead, had left him asleep in bed as she left home for work after 9am, after earlier dropping off the two children at their local school.

She made the grim discovery when she returned to the house at 12.20pm and immediately alerted the emergency services.

Gardai believe the killer entered the house from the rear during the morning and shot McMahon in the head with a handgun. Detectives are also trying to establish if there is a link between the shooting and a stolen car which was found burnt-out in Tallaght.

The beige Volvo, 03 KE 2366, was stolen in Capel Street in the city centre on October 22 and may have been used as a getaway vehicle.

Gardai are anxious to hear from anybody, who has information on the car's whereabouts over the past three weeks. State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy will carry out a postmortem examination this morning as detectives continue a detailed forensic examination of the scene.

McMahon, who is originally from Finglas, had been living in Tallaght for more than a year.

He was released from jail in March last year after serving a 10-year sentence for a series of armed robberies.

- Tom Brady Security Editor