Gardai have identified the man who was shot dead in what's believed to have been a gangland killing. The body of 35-year-old Martin Comerford from Charlemont Street, Dublin, was found in a laneway in Ranelagh early this morning. Mr. Comerford was due to go on trial in the Central Criminal Court today on a charge of murdering Anthony Beatty at the Wild Heather public house in Mary Street in November 1997. The officer in charge of the case had asked the District Court to remand Comerford in custody, but he was later granted bail by the High Court.
A preliminary medical examination has revealed that he was shot in the chest. A major murder investigation is now underway. The man's body was found a short distance from Portobello Bridge, in a lane-way off Mountpleasant Avenue lower. It was discovered shortly after eight o'clock this morning by a man going to work. He alerted the Gardaí and the lane-way was immediately sealed off.
As senior detectives conferred at the scene, a tent was erected over the body to preserve it and the immediate vicinity from the rain. Members of the Technical Bureau at Garda headquarters in Dublin were also called in to photograph the scene and to carry out a detailed forensic examination. The assistant state pathologist, Dr. Marie Casssidy arrived later and went into the tent to carry out a preliminary examination of the body, following a briefing from the forensic team.
Dr. Cassidy's examination of the body at the scene revealed that the victims had suffered a shotgun blast to the chest and Gardaí immediately launched a full scale murder investigation. As senior Gardaí discussed the case, other Gardaí were drafted into the area and began an inch-by-inch search of the lane-way for clues that might lead them to those responsible for the killing.
Gardaí believe the man may have been murdered in the lane-way in the early hours of this morning, and are asking anyone who can help them to come forward. The number of the incident room at Terenure Station is Dublin 4906802.
