Port murder checkpoints
AS part of their ongoing investigation into the murder of Gerard Eglington, Gardaí mounted road checkpoints around Portarlington yesterday morning asking motorists if they’d seen anything suspicious around the same time a week previously.
27-year-old Eglington was violently gunned down in front of his children at his Kilnacourt Woods home last Monday week, September 24 at approximately 8.30am.
And Inspector Martin Harrington confirmed that the checkpoints were conducted yesterday morning (Monday, October 1) to enquire if motorists going about their daily business had noticed any unusual or suspicious activity in or around Portarlington or the Kilnacourt Housing estate between 7.30am and 8.30am the morning of the murder.
They were particularly keen to speak anyone who may have seen a dark blue Mazda 6 leave the estate at speed shortly after the incident.
This car was later discovered burnt out approximately 1km from the scene of the shooting on the Lea Rd.
Gardaí have established that the registration number of the car was 05 KY 934 and that it was taken from Auburn Close, Castleknock in the middle of August 2012.
They are also seeking information on the getaway vehicle used by the assailants after they burnt out the Mazda.
Eglington, the member of a Dublin criminal gang, was well known to Gardaí and when asked about the possibility of a retaliatory attack in Port, Insp Harrington explained they were ‘keeping an open mind on it’. He suggested that his colleagues in Dublin ‘would be worried’.
Eglington was aware that his life was under threat and he also appeared in court locally.
Minister for Justice Alan Shatter described as barbaric the gangland-style shooting of Eglington and another convicted criminal Declan O’Reilly just 12 hours later in Dublin.
“The callousness of their actions shows that the perpetrators lack even a shred of humanity or decency,” said Mr Shatter.
Anyone who may have seen the Mazda car, in a car park, filling station or other similar location are asked to contact the Gardai in Portarlington on 057 86 36774, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
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Friday 24 May 2013
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