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Armed police at Dublin checkpoints after gangland murder

A Garda cordon outside the Regency Hotel in Dublin after the attack
A Garda cordon outside the Regency Hotel in Dublin after the attack A Garda cordon outside the Regency Hotel in Dublin after the attack

ARMED police were on the streets of Dublin last night at checkpoints amid fears of retaliation following Friday's fatal shooting in the city.

One man was killed, and two others injured, in the gang war shooting at a boxing weigh-in at the Regency Hotel.

The victim was 33 year-old David Byrne from Raleigh Square in Crumlin in the south of the city.

The bout between Jamie Kavanagh - whose father was killed in Spain last September - and Joao Bento was cancelled.

Gardaí said at least six men were involved in the deadly attack. Three gunmen, armed with automatic weapons and wearing Swat team uniforms stormed into the building were 300 sports fans had gathered for the weigh-in on Friday.

Another two gang members, who were armed with hand guns, included a man who was disguised as a woman in an auburn wig and another who was stocky and wearing a beige cap, were involved.

A sixth man remained in the driver's seat of the silver Ford transit getaway van, detectives said.

Gardai are also reported to be investigating whether the AK-47 assault rifles used in the attack were supplied by former members of the Provisional IRA who are said to have long standing connections with the criminals involved.

The checkpoints across the city are expected to continue for at least a few days.

Gardaí has also kept a presence at the Regency Hotel and have said the investigation is now international, including the UK and Spain.

A van was found burned out a short time after the shooting in the Charlemont estate in the Marino area of Dublin.

The shooting has been linked to a bitter feud between rival Dublin factions.

David Byrne was a known associate of the Kinahan crime gang.

One of the two injured men is believed to be Daniel Kinahan, son of Dublin crime boss Christy Kinahan, a convicted drug dealer suspected of importing large drug shipments.

Gardaí are believed to be investigating if the shooting is linked to the murder of Kavanagh’s father Gerard ‘Hatchet’ Kavanagh, who was shot dead in Spain last September.

It is believed he was murdered by a drugs cartel and yesterday’s shooting could be in retaliation for the killing.

His uncle Paul Kavanagh was also shot dead in Dublin in March 2015.

Gardaí are also probing links between yesterday’s shooting and the murder of 33-year-old criminal Gary Hutch, who was shot dead in Spain last year.

Gardaí Chief Superintendent Barry O'Brien said it was a "particularly nasty incident" that had involved "severe weapons".

He said: "Two individuals were wearing what was described as police-type uniforms. In that regard it was described as a Swat uniform with metal helmets, similar to what you see on crime dramas."

Kevin McAnena, a sports reporter who was covering the event, said one of two gunmen pointed a "big, massive" gun at him while he sought cover behind the reception desk.

Mr McAnena said: "I was shouting even before he came over, 'don't shoot, don't shoot' ... I've never felt terror like it."

In dramatic amateur video of the attack, rapid gunfire can be heard erupting in the lobby just seconds after the men left the stage in a function room at around 2.30pm.

One child is heard crying: "Daddy, help me. Daddy, what was that?"