Brothers suspects in murder of Dean

Charlie Mallon and Conor Feehan

TWO brothers have emerged as the main suspects in the murder of 20-year-old Dubliner Dean Johnson.

The pair went to ground after the shooting in Clondalkin, west Dublin, last Wednesday week.

Garda sources said the brothers are "persons of interest" in the investigation.

One of them is understood to have been involved in an altercation with the victim in recent weeks.

Detectives are trying to establish if one of the brothers shot Mr Johnson while the other waited in a getaway car a short distance away to get the killer from the scene.

The fatal shooting took place outside the home of the victim's best friend at Moorefield Avenue in Neilstown, west Dublin, at 8.30pm last Wednesday.

His friend's girlfriend was in the driver's seat of the red 96D VW Golf car and the two were waiting for the friend to come out of a house opposite when the gunman emerged.

The three friends had been together earlier and detectives have been trying to establish if they had been followed by the killer.

The gunman was in his early 20s, of stocky build and wore a grey hooded top and grey bottoms.

He left the immediate scene on foot in the direction of the Neilstown road where he was picked up by an accomplice.

Mr Johnson was hit in the head and shoulder and was pronounced dead at Tallaght Hospital a short time after admission.

mourners

His funeral was held at the Church of St Peter the Apostle in Neilstown last Wednesday, and drew a large crowd of mourners.

Mr Johnson's pals dressed in white shirts and comforted his grieving parents as well as his younger brother, Lee.

Meanwhile, gardai believe mobile phone calls may help in the identification of those behind the murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ronanstown Garda Station at 01 6667700 or phone the confidential line on 1800 666 111.

hnews@herald.ie