Ireland

Questions over claims of gardaí involvement in Tyrone operation into gangland feud

Dubliner David Byrne was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in March
Dubliner David Byrne was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in March Dubliner David Byrne was shot dead at the Regency Hotel in March

BOTH the PSNI and Garda Síochána have refused to say whether gardaí took part in an operation in Co Tyrone linked to Hutch/Kinahan gangland feud.

The PSNI raided two properties in Strabane last month.

The searches were believed to be connected to the high-profile gun attack on the Regency Hotel in Dublin in March in which gangster David Byrne was killed.

One of the houses was a rented property used by a key suspect in the case known as ‘Flat Cap’.

The former republican prisoner fled the Co Tyrone town last month just days after his close friend and ‘IRA’ member Mickey Barr was shot dead by gunmen thought to have been hired by the Kinahan gang.

The 'IRA' later said Mr Barr had no part to play in the deadly feud which has so far claimed seven lives.

Asked yesterday if Garda members were involved in the Strabane raid, a spokesman for the force said: “This query should be put to the PSNI who would have jurisdiction over police operations carried out in Co Tyrone”.

When the PSNI was asked if gardaí were involved, it said: “There is no change to what has been previously been issued in regard to these searches.”

The force had previously confirmed only that searches had taken place.

One man, Patrick Hutch, has been charged in connection with the Regency attack.

Three other men were still being questioned as part of the investigation last night.