Video: Finglas killer’s accomplice wore ‘Scream’ mask while keeping guard outside pub
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A KILLER accomplice wore a horror movie Scream mask while keeping guard outside a busy pub during a suspected gangland execution.
Drug dealer Alan McNally, 36, died after being shot several times in the head when singled out as he drank in the Cappagh Nua pub, in Finglas, north Dublin, shortly after 1am.
The father of three was the brother of Graham McNally, who was murdered about a mile from the pub in January 2009 after a suspected row with major drug trafficking associate Eamon Dunne, himself the victim of a gangland execution.
Investigating gardai said the latest killing was carried out by a man armed with a handgun. No weapon has yet been recovered.
While he carried out the gun attack, his accomplice stood guard outside the pub door on Barry Road wearing a mask similar to that used in the notorious film Scream.
Both men fled in the direction of Casement Close in Finglas.
McNally was only late last year released from prison after serving a lengthy sentence for supplying heroin.
Detectives say they are investigating a number of potential motives.
It is understood one line of inquiry is the possibility McNally was murdered by rivals after threatening to avenge his brother's death.
Another is that he was shot over a small drugs debt.
McNally, who lived locally, was jailed for supplying heroin after being caught with a €200,000 consignment of the drug in Raheny in 2006.
He was imprisoned for seven and a half years with the last two years suspended after a judge was told that he had twice kicked a drugs habit and helped others in rehab.
During the trial, the court heard that McNally fell into addiction for a third time in 2006 because of a lack of financial and other support for his voluntary work with drug users.
Family and friends laid flowers outside the Cappagh Nua pub today as garda forensic officers carried out examinations.
McNally was taken to the Connolly Memorial Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The gunman was described as 6ft tall, well built, and was wearing a blue hooded top and black tracksuit bottoms.
The second man, who was outside, was around 5ft 10in in height, of slim build and wearing white or grey tracksuit bottoms, a black hooded top, white runners, gloves and the Scream mask.
The scene of the shooting was sealed off for several hours while deputy state pathologist Michael Curtis carried out an examination.
Gardai are also reviewing CCTV footage from the area.
They have asked for witnesses, particularly people who were drinking in the pub at the time, to come forward.
"There were a number of people present at the time and we are appealing to any of those who haven't contacted us already, to contact Finglas Garda station," said investigating Superintendent Pat Clavin.
McNally's brother Graham was a known associate of murdered north Dublin crime boss Dunne, who was nicknamed The Don and believed to have been the biggest drug trafficker in the capital before he himself was gunned down in a pub in Cabra in April 2010.
The murder of Graham McNally, 34 at the time of his death, was blamed on a falling-out among the Dunne gang.
The Cappagh Nua bar has been the scene of other attacks including the attempted murder of a 40-year-old as he stood outside on December 30 2010.
Meanwhile, in a separate gun attack, a 25-year-old man was blasted in the face by an attacker in the Blanchardstown area of Dublin late last night.
He was taken to the James Connolly Memorial Hospital.
A 31-year-old man has been arrested.
- Ed Carty and Brian Hutton
